Craig Nolte identified as man killed by lyssavirus after bat bite, wife claims vaccine did not save him

The wife of a NSW man who died from lyssavirus after being bitten by a bat that had flown onto a verandah said her husband did “everything right’’ in the aftermath of the bite, but a vaccine that was supposed to save his life “didn’t work’’.

Craig Nolte from Ballina in the Northern Rivers region NSW, died after he was bitten

The wife of a NSW man who died from lyssavirus after being bitten by a bat that had flown onto a verandah said her husband did “everything right’’ in the aftermath of the bite, but a vaccine that was supposed to save his life “didn’t work’’.

Robyn Nolte and her family are demanding answers from NSW Health following the death of her husband Craig “Zebbo’’ Nolte on the NSW Far North Coast earlier this month.

Mr Nolte, a 56-year-old carpenter, was bitten on the finger after grappling to free a bat that had flown onto a verandah at Ballina last October.

Craig Nolte and wife Robyn, who is said to be in deep grief and ‘angry” that the vaccine failed to save her husband from contracting the lyssavirus

Mrs Nolte told The Daily Telegraph that despite receiving immunoglobulin and the required vaccines after the incident, it could not save her husband.

She said she is yet to receive any answers from NSW Health about why her husband died.

“We’re too much in grief to talk right now but Craig did everything right,” Ms Nolte said.

“What happened should never have happened.”

It is understood health authorities still do not know why the vaccine did not prevent Mr Nolte’s death, with NSW Health launching an investigation into what went wrong.

Mrs Nolte, who runs a childcare centre in Ballina, said she was deeply distressed by the lack of information from NSW Health, putting out a tribute to her husband on social media on Tuesday.

Statement issues from NSW Health.

“I need to put this out to the community as Craig, Zebbo, was a local and having owned Ballina kiddi care childcare for 18 years we knew a lot of families,” she posted on Facebook.

“I said goodbye to Craig on the 3rd of July to a very quick case of lyssavirus.

“Before anyone says anything yes eight months ago Craig got bitten and he got the post exposure prophylaxis injections. NSW Health (is) still grappling (with) how this happened ... that the injection didn’t work. RIP my love my best friend.”

NSW Health confirmed Mr Nolte had received initial “treatment”, but later became critically ill after developing symptoms. A spokesperson said: “An investigation is underway to understand factors which may have played a role in the illness.”

“Post-exposure prophylaxis for lyssavirus, including both immunoglobulin and at least four vaccines, (were) given over several weeks,’’ the spokesperson said.

Craig Nolte and wife Robyn from Alstonville before he was bitten by a bat that flew onto his veranda

“The treatment is very safe and has been proven worldwide to be highly effective.

“There have been rare cases documented of breakthrough infections worldwide.

“These are thoroughly investigated to determine the contributing factors. This recent case in NSW is being looked at by experts.”

Mr Nolte, a father of two, was the first confirmed NSW case of lyssavirus — a rare genus of viruses that includes rabies, found in Australian fruit bats and flying foxes.

Friends have described him as an adventurous “Huckleberry Finn” character who loved surfing, fishing, foraging for gem stones and a loving family man.

“He was always so full of adventure and action, he loved his family and travelling and was always surfing and fishing,” friend John Plenko said.

“We’re so sad he’s gone.

“Life will be a sadder place without him.”

Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the family “deserve answers” as to why the loving father died.

“This is a tragic set of circumstances, my heart goes to the family, but questions need to be asked why the vaccine didn’t work,” she said.

“Any loss in our community to a preventable occurrence is heartbreaking and a thorough investigation needs to be carried out as to why the vaccine didn’t work.”

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Originally published as Craig Nolte identified as man killed by lyssavirus after bat bite, wife claims vaccine did not save him