Man dies after bat bite in Australia; what is Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), which is 100% fatal

A man in his 50s has died after becoming New South Wales' first confirmed case of the rare and deadly Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), NSW Health confirmed on Thursday, July 3. The man, from the northern part of the state, passed away several months after being bitten by a bat.

Health authorities said he had been in critical condition for weeks and was receiving hospital treatment before succumbing to the virus. This is only the fourth known fatality from ABLV in Australia overall.

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Keira Glasgow, Director of Health Protection at NSW Health, called it a "very tragic situation," adding that the man had received treatment after the bite, and further investigation is underway to determine whether any other factors may have contributed to the illness.

Officials have now renewed urgent warnings against handling bats, especially without proper vaccination and training. “NSW Health reminds the community to avoid touching or handling bats, as any bat in Australia could carry lyssavirus,” a spokesperson said. “Only wildlife handlers who are trained, protected, and vaccinated should interact with bats.”

Australian bat lyssavirus is closely related to rabies and can be transmitted to humans through the saliva of an infected bat, typically via a bite or scratch. It has been found in flying foxes, fruit bats, and insect-eating microbats.

Once symptoms appear, there is no known cure, making early post-exposure treatment critical. Patients exposed to the virus require immediate administration of rabies immunoglobulin and a full course of rabies vaccine.

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What is Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV)?

ABLV is a rare but deadly virus found in Australian bats. It causes a rabies-like illness in humans and has no cure once symptoms begin. Only four cases, including this one, have been confirmed in Australia, all of which have resulted in death. Authorities stress that anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek urgent medical attention.