By Angus Thomson
A man from northern NSW has died in the state’s first case of Australian bat lyssavirus, a rare disease closely related to rabies.
Lyssavirus is transmitted from infected bats to humans when bat saliva containing the virus enters the body through a bite or scratch.
Only trained and vaccinated wildlife handlers should touch bats, and anyone bitten or scratched by one should seek immediate treatment, NSW Health said. Credit: Sam Mooy
The man aged in his 50s died in hospital, NSW Health confirmed on Thursday. “We express our sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends for their tragic loss,” a spokesperson said.
More than 100 people required medical assessment after being bitten or scratched by bats last year, but this is the first confirmed case of the virus in NSW.
“It is incredibly rare for the virus to transmit to humans, but once symptoms of lyssavirus start in people who are scratched or bitten by an infected bat, sadly there is no effective treatment,” Keira Glasgow, a director in health protection at NSW Health, said on Wednesday.
Glasgow said people should assume any bat in Australia could be carrying lyssavirus, and only trained and vaccinated wildlife workers should handle them.
Lyssavirus is closely related to rabies – one of the most notorious and difficult to treat diseases humans can catch from animals.
Fortunately, this means rabies prevention measures can effectively protect humans from the symptoms of lyssavirus – when caught early.
Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek urgent medical care. The wound must be washed immediately and thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and water, then antiseptic containing antivirus properties, such as Betadine, applied, and the wound allowed to dry.
What to do if you’re bitten by a bat:
- Seek urgent medical assessment
- Wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and water
- Apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action, such as Betadine, and allow it to dry
- Patients then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine
Treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine is also essential.
The virus can be found in some Australian bats, including flying foxes and smaller bat species. But its prevalence in the total population is very low – less than 0.5 per cent, according to a 2018 study.
Dr Alison Peel, a veterinarian and wildlife disease ecologist at the University of Sydney, said bats carrying the virus can also develop clinical symptoms, but others do not, and may carry the virus and develop antibodies without appearing sick.
Cases in humans remain exceedingly rare. There have been three previous cases of bat lyssavirus in humans in Australia since 1996. All three infected people died.
“Even though, this is another sad event … it is exceptionally rare,” Peel said. “There’s no need to panic, but it is important to be aware.”
Peel said bats were essential to our ecosystems, helping to pollinate forests and regenerate landscapes after natural disasters such as fires.
“This is not the time to go out and persecute bats, and doing so would probably put you at greater risk,” she said.
“We just need to be aware that we’re encroaching on their habitat, and we need to be conscious of the consequences of that.”
If you see a bat in distress, injured or trapped on the ground, do not try to rescue it.
Instead, contact WIRES on 1300 094 737 or your local wildlife rescue group.
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