Australian bat lyssavirus can be contracted via a bite or scratch from an infected animal. (Supplied: Craig Greer)

A northern New South Wales man is in a critical condition after contracting the state's first confirmed case of Australian bat lyssavirus.

Keira Glasgow of NSW Health said the man, aged in his 50s, received treatment after a bat bit him several months ago.

"Unfortunately, he's recently developed symptoms of lyssavirus … which is incredibly rare," she said.

Ms Glasgow said there was "no effective treatment" for the illness and that an investigation was underway to establish whether other exposures or factors contributed to the man's infection.

It is the fourth case recorded in Australia.

Ms Glasgow said lyssavirus was a "rabies-like infection" transmitted from infected bats to humans via a bite or scratch.

The virus affects the central nervous system and is often fatal.

"This is a tragic situation," she said.

"It is incredibly sad for the man and his family."

NSW Health is reminding the community to avoid touching or handling bats.

"There are people who are trained and fully vaccinated and protected who are able to handle bats," Ms Glasgow said.

"The best thing you can do is to call your local wildlife carers agency to help you."

She said anyone exposed to a bat bite or scratch should seek urgent medical attention.

"You should wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes right away with soap and water and apply an antiseptic such as Betadine," Ms Glasgow said.

"You will then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine."

Written by Keely Johnson and Cath Adams, ABC News.

 

[Colette 3799]

Bats carry many viruses. The man doesn't have Covid.

Exactly! I just want to understand the comments about his illness (and now death) relates to the vaccine

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Covid came from bats...this virus is a deadly bat virus!

No Bridgit. Covid was thought to come from bats when infections were first discovered, but it was found that the Covid virus was actually man made by scientists in a Wuhan Lab in China.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Exactly! I just want to understand the comments about his illness (and now death) relates to the vaccine

There is no relation at all.

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

Here is another question that needs to be asked and wait for the home experts to answer.

So there is a vaccine to protect from this and yet there is no treatment after infection.
Why is this?

 

[Colette 3799]

Here is another question that needs to be asked and wait for the home experts to answer.

So there is a vaccine to protect from this and yet there is no treatment after infection.
Why is this?

Maybe prevention is better than cure lol

 

[electricblanket]

Here is another question that needs to be asked and wait for the home experts to answer.

So there is a vaccine to protect from this and yet there is no treatment after infection.
Why is this?

The vaccine works if you catch the virus when it first enters the body. This gives the body protection before it enters the cell. However, once it enters the cell there is no medication for it.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

The vaccine works if you catch the virus when it first enters the body. This gives the body protection before it enters the cell. However, once it enters the cell there is no medication for it.

Yes, that's right. But the virus enters the central nervous system and slowly makes it's way to the brain. Treatment given during it's travels have been to show to work, the sooner the better. But as soon as the virus gets into the brain, it's All Over Red Rover.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Here is another question that needs to be asked and wait for the home experts to answer.

So there is a vaccine to protect from this and yet there is no treatment after infection.
Why is this?

Most people who are infected have no symptoms until the virus gets into the brain via the central nervous system, that's when it causes death. We still don't know how long it takes from that bite or scratch to turn up in the brain, it varies in time, it is very similar to a rabies infection, the virus is almost the same. So the best thing to do if you are scratched or bitten by an animal is go to the doctor and get a rabies shot, or else, do what I did, go to the doctor and get a series of booster (two) rabies shots to protect you if you think you may be infected overseas or if you care for animals like strays.
The rabies vaccine does not provide lifelong immunity and requires booster shots to maintain protection. For individuals at high risk of exposure, a booster dose is recommended every two years, or more frequently based on antibody testing. For post-exposure prophylaxis, the duration of protection depends on the number of doses received and the level of ongoing risk.
Individuals with ongoing occupational exposure or who travel to rabies-endemic areas may need booster shots more frequently, potentially every two years, or when antibody levels fall below a certain threshold.