Family reeling after probe finds Craig Nolte, 56, had no rabies immunity and jab failed

Medical experts are baffled over why lifesaving vaccine did not work on Ballina man Craig Nolte, the first person in NSW to die from bat lyssavirus.

Supplied photo of Craig Nolte and wife Robyn.

Medical experts are baffled over why lifesaving vaccine did not work on Ballina man Craig Nolte, the first person in NSW to die from bat lyssavirus.

Mr Nolte’s family has been offered scant consolation after learning a NSW Health investigation into his death found he was not immune to the rabies vaccine when symptoms developed eight months after he was bitten by a bat.

NSW Health has released the findings of its two-week probe to his wife Robyn, saying the panel of specialists in diseases, public health, immunisation and microbiology could not determine a reason for the lyssavirus infection taking hold following complete post exposure treatment.

Craig Nolte, 56, from Ballina in the Northern Rivers of NSW, died from lyssavirus eight months after being treated for a bat bite. Picture: Facebook

The panel, led by chief health officer Kerry Chant, said it was satisfied treatment, including Immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine, was administered according to the Australian Immunisation Handbook recommendations of 48 hours.

But it recommended the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation reviews the evidence to consider changes to guidelines.

Mr Nolte’s sister Tanya Nolte said the NSW Health investigation has left the family questioning whether he would still be alive had he received treatment earlier.

“Had Craig had the prophylactic treatment within 24 hours you question if he would still be here, that’s the question we’re all asking,” she said.

The panel emphasised that post exposure treatment for lyssavirus is safe and effective in almost all cases.

“There are a small number of instances worldwide where lyssavirus infection has occurred following complete post exposure treatment where the reason could not be determined,” NSW Health said in a statement to The Daily Telegraph on Thursday.

Mr Nolte, a carpenter and father of two, is the first outbreak of the virus in Australia where infection developed despite post exposure treatment.

The 56-year-old was bitten on the finger while trying to free a trapped bat from the veranda of his father’s farm in Tintenbar in the Northern Rivers in October 2024.

Family members have said he was sent home from Ballina Base Hospital after seeking treatment that day, but was told to return the following morning when it would be flown in from Sydney.

Mr Nolte, affectionately known as Zebbo, later developed symptoms, including headache and fever and eventually seizures and muscle spasms, and died while in a medically induced coma on July 3.

Tanya Nolte says the family is questioning if he would have survived had he received prophylactic treatment within 24 hours. Picture: Scott Powick

Mr Nolte’s sister Tanya Nolte said the NSW Health investigation has left the family questioning whether he would still be alive had he received treatment within 24 hours.

“Had Craig had the prophylactic treatment within 24 hours you question if he would still be here, that’s the question we’re all asking?” she said.

The NSW Health panel emphasised that post exposure treatment for lyssavirus exposure (including ABLV and rabies) is safe and effective in almost all cases.

A statement released to The Daily Telegraph said: “This is the first case of ABLV in Australia where infection has occurred despite post exposure treatment.

“The panel noted there are a small number of instances worldwide where lyssavirus infection has occurred following where the reason could not be determined.

“NSW Health offers our sincere condolences to family and friends of the person who passed away recently from Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) infection for their tragic loss.

“Following the death, NSW Health convened an expert panel including infectious diseases, public health, immunisation, microbiology, and other external specialists to assess this case.

Craig Nolte with wife Robyn.

“The expert panel considered the evidence, and NSW Health is discussing the outcomes of the expert panel with his family.

“NSW Health will continue to work with ATAGI to support this process.”

The mayor of Ballina Sharon Cadwallader has called for the lifesaving post bat bite antibody immunoglobulin - which is in short supply worldwide - to be stocked at the region’s three main hospitals - Ballina District, Lismore Base and Tweed Valley hospitals.

“We have a high bat colony in the Ballina Shire and I would have thought there would be stock on hand in the event of an incident which has been proven,” she said.

“One hospital within the seven councils region should have it readily available.”

Lyssavirus was first discovered in Australia in 1996 and has since killed four people, including an eight-year-old Queensland boy in 2013.

Originally published as Family reeling after probe finds Craig Nolte, 56, had no rabies immunity and jab failed