A man in his 50s from northern New South Wales is currently in a critical condition in hospital after being infected with the Australian bat lyssavirus, a virus closely related to rabies. This represents the state’s first confirmed case of the disease. The man had initially been bitten by a bat several months ago and, despite receiving treatment at the time, his condition has since deteriorated. Authorities are investigating further to understand any additional factors contributing to his illness.
Keira Glasgow, the director of health protection, described the situation as tragic and highlighted the rarity of lyssavirus cases in humans, noting that this is only the fourth instance recorded nationally. She emphasised the importance of avoiding direct contact with bats, advising the public to leave handling them to professionals, as any bat could potentially carry the virus. Lyssavirus can spread through the saliva of an infected bat via bites or scratches, with the virus having been detected in various bat species, including flying foxes and fruit bats.
Glasgow strongly recommended that anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek immediate medical attention. Proper first aid includes washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and applying an antiseptic. Victims would then require rabies immunoglobulin and a rabies vaccine to prevent the onset of symptoms, which can be lethal if they develop.
In the previous year, there were 118 reported cases in New South Wales where individuals sought treatment for bat bites or scratches, underscoring the need for public awareness and cautious behaviour around these animals.