‘No effective treatment’: man dies after first case of rare bat virus confirmed

A man who was in critical condition in hospital after being bitten by a bat has died, becoming the first confirmed fatality in NSW of a rabies-like virus.

The first confirmed case of a rare bat virus that has “no effective treatment” has led to authorities warning people against touching or handling bats. Picture: David Nielsen/The Queensland Times

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A northern NSW man has died after being bitten by a bat, in the first confirmed case of Australian bat lyssavirus in NSW.

The man, in his 50s, was bitten by a bat several months ago and had been in a critical condition in hospital, but on Thursday NSW Health confirmed he had died.

“We express our sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends for their tragic loss,” NSW Health said in a statement.

Health authorities have urged people to stay away from bats, warning that there is “no effective treatment” for the rare virus – a close relative to the rabies virus.

The virus is transmitted from infected bat saliva to humans through a bat bite or scratch.

NSW Health Director in Health Protection Keira Glasgow described the case as “very tragic” and said further investigations were under way to understand if other factors contributed to the man’s illness.

NSW Health said the first confirmed case of Australian bat Lyssavirus is ‘very tragic’ and has urged people to stay away from bats. Picture: Chris Ison

“This is the first confirmed case of the virus in NSW, and the fourth case in Australia,” Ms Glasgow said.

“It is incredibly rare for the virus to transmit to humans, but once symptoms of lyssavirus start … sadly there is no effective treatment.”

Only three cases of human infection with bat lyssavirus (ABLV) have been recorded since the virus was first identified in 1996, according to NSW Health. All three cases were in Queensland and all died as a result of ABLV infection after bites or scratches by bats.

The early symptoms are flu-like, including headache, fever and fatigue. The illness progresses rapidly to paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death, usually within a week or two.

NSW Health said 118 people required medical assessment after being bitten or scratched by bats in 2024.

Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek urgent medical assessment.

Ms Glasgow said people should wash the wound for 15 minutes and apply an antiseptic with antivirus action, before they are treated with rabies immunoglobulin and a rabies vaccine.

Australian bat Lyssavirus can be found in species of flying foxes, fruit bats and insect-eating microbats.

Authorities are advising people who see a distressed, injured or trapped bat to contact WIRES or a local wildlife rescue group.