First Case of Australian Bat Lyssavirus Claims Life in NSW

In a tragic development, a man from New South Wales (NSW) has died after contracting the first recorded case of Australian bat lyssavirus, a rare and deadly virus closely related to rabies. The individual, who was in his 50s, reportedly sustained a bat bite several months prior to his death, which was confirmed by NSW Health on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

The Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) was first identified in May 1996 in a fruit bat located in northern NSW, marking it as Australia’s only known lyssavirus. According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Medical Virology, ABLV can be found in various bat species across Australia, including flying foxes and microbats. The NSW Health department has since urged the public to refrain from handling bats, reinforcing the potential dangers associated with contact with these animals.

Professor Tim Mahony, a research fellow in veterinary biology at the University of Queensland, emphasized the rarity of such fatalities, noting, "We’ve had four cases since we’ve known about it in the mid ‘90s. Over that time, I would expect thousands of people have been exposed to bats in some way or another." This statement highlights the unusual circumstances that led to this tragic outcome. Fatal infections in humans typically arise from a combination of factors, including the strain of the virus and the individual's health condition at the time of exposure.

Humans primarily contract the virus through bites or scratches from infected bats. The risk of transmission is exceptionally low, as reported in a 2018 study in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, which indicated that person-to-person transmission has only occurred in cases involving organ transplants from infected donors.

The first human case of ABLV, documented in October 1996, involved a wildlife carer in Queensland. Subsequent cases followed, including a fatality in December 1998 and another in 2012 involving a young boy. Additional instances have been recorded in horses, as noted in a report from the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Currently, there is no effective treatment for ABLV once symptoms manifest, which may include fever and neurological complications. NSW Health has advised that the rabies vaccine serves as a preventive measure for those at risk of exposure, such as veterinarians and wildlife handlers. The vaccine is administered through a series of injections over the course of one month, aimed at prompting a swift immune response. Professor Mahony elaborated on the importance of timely intervention: "Because the virus has a long incubation period – usually of up to a few months for reasons we don’t understand – preventive treatments given quickly can be highly effective."

In light of this incident, health authorities have reiterated the importance of public safety regarding bat interactions. They recommend that individuals avoid any handling of bats and report any sightings of distressed or injured bats to trained wildlife professionals. As Professor Mahony advised, “If people don’t know what they’re doing, just don’t handle them at all.” Only trained and vaccinated wildlife handlers should engage with bats to mitigate the risk of transmission.

This tragic case serves as a critical reminder of the potential health risks associated with wildlife interactions and underscores the necessity for public awareness and education about zoonotic diseases. As the investigation continues, the NSW Health department aims to enhance public understanding of the virus and promote safety practices to prevent future occurrences.