NSW man in hospital with state's first confirmed case of Australian bat lyssavirus
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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.
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