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

Craig Nolte, 56, is understood to have been grappling to save a trapped bat that had drifted into his porch when he was bitten on the finger. His wife said he was given a vaccine but it did not work.

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

EXCLUSIVE:

The man who died after he was bitten by a bat was carpenter Craig Nolte, who was trying to free a bat that had flown onto his veranda when he was attacked.

His wife claims he was given the immunoglobulin rabies vaccine after being bitten – but it didn’t work.

Mr Nolte, 56, is understood to have been grappling to save the trapped bat that had drifted into his porch when he was bitten on the finger eight months ago.

NSW Health has already confirmed he had received initial “treatment”, but later fell into a critical condition after developing symptoms.

His wife Robyn, who runs a childcare centre in Ballina in the Northern Rivers region, is said to be “angry” over his death, and in deep grief.

“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 said.

“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 in their words to how this happened that the injection didn’t work.

“RIP my love my best friend,” she wrote on a social media post.

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

NSW on Wednesday issues a statement expressing “sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends for their tragic loss”.

“The man had been bitten by a bat several months ago and received treatment following the injury,” it said.

“An investigation is underway to understand factors which may have plaued a role in the illness.

“Post-exposure prophylaxis for lyssavirus exposure including both immunoglobulin and at least four vaccines given over several weeks.

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

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

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

Statement issues from NSW Health.

Experts say extensive exposure wounds close to innervated areas like fingers carry increased infection risk and may result in a shorter incubation period of the lyssavirus.

Mr Nolte, who was 55, a father of two, was the first case of confirmed lyssavirus in NSW, a rare genus of viruses that includes rabies, found in Australian fruit bats and flying foxes.

It’s understood preliminary investigations determined he was bitten on the finger in October last year.

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,” said John Plenko.

“The last thing you imagine is that he would have died from a bat bite, he was a Huckleberry Finn guy, who was always doing something, he loved the outdoors.

“He was working on his dad’s farm when he was bitten. We’re so sad he’s gone, life will be a sadder place without him,” he said.

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

Friend Steve Walsh said people are angry that the virus didn’t work.

“He was a great guy, fill of life, he didn’t everything right, got vaccinated but it didn’t work.

“He was the hardest worker and the loveliest man, big hart, a gentleman. he wouldn't have been scared of a bat, he was 6 ft 4.”

On July 1, close family friend Robbie Kennedy informed friends in a series of heartbreaking social media messages that Mr Nolte was on life support machine and had days to live.

He had been relayed the news in a phone call from his wife.

“Just letting anyone who knows Zeb, (Craig Nolte) he’s on life support and has only a few days left,” Mr Kennedy wrote.

One friend Steve Kearney replied: “ … heavy. I had a surf with Zeb couple of months ago. He was full of life and keen to get into the water more.”

Another friend Mick Walker wrote: “What happened Robbie? He helped build my last house: This is a shock.”

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

“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.”

“It’s like when there is an outbreak of legionnaires disease, the source of it is traced back because surely this is not a one off incident.

“There are too many questions that need answering and the family deserve answers.”

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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