Man dies after bat bite in Australia; what is Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), which is 100% fatal

On Thursday, July 3, NSW Health reported that a man in his 50s had died after becoming the first known case of the rare and lethal Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) in New South Wales. The man, from the northern part of the state, passed away several months after being bitten by a bat.Health authorities said he had been in critical condition for weeks and was receiving hospital treatment before succumbing to the virus.  This is only the fourth known fatality from ABLV in Australia overall.Keira Glasgow, Director of Health Protection at NSW Health, called it a "very tragic situation," adding that the man had received treatment after the bite, and further investigation is underway to determine whether any other factors may have contributed to the illness.
 Officials have reiterated their urgent warnings against handling bats, particularly if they have not been properly vaccinated or trained. “NSW Health reminds the community to avoid touching or handling bats, as any bat in Australia could carry lyssavirus,” a spokesperson said.  “Only wildlife handlers who are trained, protected, and vaccinated should interact with bats.” Australian bat lyssavirus is closely related to rabies and can be transmitted to humans through the saliva of an infected bat, typically via a bite or scratch.  It has been discovered in fruit bats, flying foxes, and microbats that eat insects. Once symptoms appear, there is no known cure, making early post-exposure treatment critical.  Patients exposed to the virus require immediate administration of rabies immunoglobulin and a full course of rabies vaccine.ABLV is a rare but deadly virus found in Australian bats.  It causes a rabies-like illness in humans and has no cure once symptoms begin.  Only four cases, including this one, have been confirmed in Australia, all of which have resulted in death.  Authorities stress that anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek urgent medical attention.