A 50-year-old Australian man has died after being bitten by a bat carrying the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), a rare and deadly virus similar to rabies, health officials in New South Wales (NSW) confirmed.
According to NSW Health, the man quickly fell into critical condition after the bite and later succumbed to the infection. ABLV was first identified in 1996, and only three human cases have been recorded worldwide—all of which were fatal.
The virus is transmitted when bat saliva enters the human body through a bite or scratch. Symptoms may take days, weeks, or even years to appear, typically starting with fever, headache, and fatigue, and progressing to paralysis, delirium, seizures, and eventually death.
There is currently no cure for ABLV.
NSW Health has issued a warning to the public to avoid touching or approaching bats, noting that any bat in Australia could potentially carry the virus.
Health experts advise that if bitten or scratched by a bat, the wound should be washed immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, followed by the application of antiseptic. Medical treatment should be sought immediately, including administration of rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccination.
Authorities continue to urge caution and awareness to prevent future infections from this rare but deadly virus.
