An Australian man has died from an extremely rare infection transmitted by a bat bite, health officials said Thursday. The 50-year-old was bitten by a bat carrying Australian bat lyssavirus several months ago and died in hospital.
While the disease is extremely rare, there is no effective treatment for it. In 2024, 118 people were treated after being bitten or scratched by bats, but this is the first confirmed case of the virus in New South Wales.
The virus, closely related to rabies, is transmitted when bat saliva enters the human body through a bite or scratch. Symptoms can take days or years to appear, and early signs include flu-like symptoms such as a headache, fever, and fatigue. The disease rapidly deteriorates, leading to paralysis, delirium, convulsions, and death.
There have been only three previous cases of human infection by Australian bat lyssavirus since its discovery in 1996, all of which were fatal. Health officials warn that people should avoid touching or handling bats, as any bat in Australia could carry the virus.
If bitten or scratched by a bat, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes, and apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action. Treatment typically involves rabies immunoglobulin and a rabies vaccine.
The virus has been found in flying foxes and insect-eating microbats, but the species of bat involved in this latest fatality has not been identified. Experts warn that Australian bat lyssavirus is very closely related to rabies and can cause death if left untreated.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-dies-bat-bite-extremely-rare-infection-australia