NSW Health Warns Public After Fatal Case of Bat-Linked Virus

This is the fourth recorded death of Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) in the country’s history

A flying fox–commonly known as a giant fruit bat—hangs from its roost at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia on March 20, 2008. Ian Waldie/Getty Images

New South Wales (NSW) Health has issued a public health warning to avoid bats after a man in his 50s died from Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV).

ABLV is a virus that spreads from bats to humans and is closely related to the rabies virus.

In a statement provided to The Epoch Times, NSW Health expressed sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends for their loss.

“While it is extremely rare to see a case of Australian bat lyssavirus, there is no effective treatment for it,” NSW Health said.

“NSW Health reminds the community to avoid touching or handling bats, as any bat in Australia could carry lyssavirus. Infected bats can transmit the virus to humans when its saliva enters the body via a bat bite or scratch.”

The incident is the first confirmed case of the virus in NSW and the fourth in Australia. The other three previous cases have all been in Queensland.

The man from northern NSW was bitten by a bat months ago and received treatment after the injury. On July 2, before his death, NSW Health issued a statement saying that he was in a critical condition in hospital.

“Further investigation is underway to understand whether other exposures or factors played a role in his illness,” said Keira Glasgow, director of health protection at NSW Health in a statement.

Glasgow said 1,118 people had required medical assessment after being bitten or scratched by bats in 2024.

“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,” Glasgow added.

“If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, urgent medical assessment is crucial. You will need to wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes right away with soap and water and apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action, such as betadine, and allow it to dry,” she said.

Glasgow said treatments include rabies immunoglobulin and the rabies vaccine.

NSW Health warned residents not to try and rescue a bat if they see one injured or trapped on the ground, but rather to contact trained experts.

Bats May Appear Unaffected: Vet

University of Sydney veterinarian Alison Peel described news as “tragic.”

“Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a virus that circulates naturally in Australian bats that is very closely related to rabies. Like humans and other animals, infected bats may become sick and die, however, some bats may appear unaffected.

“So, you can’t always tell just by looking at a bat whether it’s infected or not.” said the wildlife disease ecologist.

More About Bat Lyssavirus

The Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) is passed on from infected bats to humans when virus in bat saliva permeates the body via a bat bite or scratch. ABLV has been discovered in flying foxes, fruit bats, and insect eating microbats.

Symptoms of the ABLV infection include headache, fever and fatigue progressing to paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death.

ABLV, along with the rabies virus, belong to the lyssaviruses group of viruses.

In a fact sheet, NSW Health noted that lyssaviruses can cause serious illness impacting the central nervous system, and is “usually fatal.”

All the cases of ABLV in NSW and Queensland occurred following a bite or scratch from a bat. The first ever case in Australia was identified in 1996. The other cases were in 1998 and 2013, according to Victoria Health.