A tragic incident has shaken the country, as a man from New South Wales has died after contracting a rare and life-threatening virus from a bat bite.
The man, in his 50s, is the first recorded case of Australian bat lyssavirus in NSW, with the virus being a close relative of the rabies virus.
The Deadly Virus
The virus is spread to humans when saliva enters the body through cuts or scratches, and it has been found in species of fruit bats, insect-eating microbats, and flying foxes.
A Health Protection director from NSW Health, Keira Glasgow, described the situation as “tragic” and warned that anyone bitten or scratched by bats should urgently seek medical assessment.
Prevention is Key
Ms. Glasgow stressed that if you are bitten or scratched by a bat, you should wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and water, apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action, and allow it to dry.
You will then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine.
Any bats could carry the life-threatening virus, and a NSW Health spokesperson urged Aussies to avoid touching or handling the animals, warning that only trained, protected, and vaccinated wildlife handlers should interact with bats.