Australian Man Succumbs to Extremely Rare Bat Bite Virus

In a rare and tragic case, an Australian man in his 50s has died from an unusual rabies-like virus contracted through a bat bite. The incident occurred several months ago when the man was bitten by a bat carrying Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), a deadly virus closely related to rabies. Despite receiving medical treatment, his condition worsened rapidly, leading to his death this week.

The New South Wales health authorities confirmed the death, stating that while cases of ABLV are extremely uncommon, the virus is highly fatal once symptoms develop. The man, from northern New South Wales, was initially in a critical condition in hospital. Authorities are investigating whether other exposures contributed to his illness.

Australian bat lyssavirus is transmitted primarily through bites or scratches from infected bats, which include species of flying foxes and microbats. The incubation period varies from days to several years, with early symptoms resembling flu — such as headache, fever, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, it leads to paralysis, delirium, seizures, and ultimately death.

There have been only three documented fatalities linked to ABLV since its first identification in 1996, all resulting in death. Health experts emphasize that contact with bats should be avoided unless by trained and vaccinated wildlife handlers.

In cases of a bat bite, immediate action is critical. The wound should be thoroughly washed with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, followed by the application of an antiseptic. Medical intervention with rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccination is essential to prevent illness.

The virus remains in a variety of Australian bat species, and some differences exist between strains in microbats and flying foxes. The species involved in this recent case has not yet been identified. ABLV infection is nearly always fatal if not treated promptly, underscoring the importance of avoiding contact with bats and seeking immediate medical care after potential exposure.

The first case of ABLV was identified in 1996 by scientists at CSIRO after examining brain tissue from a sick flying fox. Since then, a few human cases have been confirmed, all in Australia, highlighting the importance of awareness and caution around bats to prevent such tragic outcomes.