Australia has reported its first fatal case of Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) in 2025, following the death of a man from New South Wales (NSW). According to The Guardian, the man, aged in his 60s, contracted the virus after being scratched by a bat, marking a rare but deadly incident of ABLV infection in the country. His condition deteriorated over several weeks before he died in the hospital.
Health authorities confirmed that this is the first recorded human case of ABLV since 2013, and only the fourth known fatality since the virus was first identified in 1996. NSW Health issued a statement highlighting the significance of this development and urged the public to avoid handling bats directly, stressing the importance of immediate post-exposure treatment in case of scratches or bites.
The Australian Bat Lyssavirus is closely related to rabies and affects the central nervous system. It is carried by flying foxes and insectivorous bats, and symptoms in humans can mimic flu-like conditions initially, progressing rapidly to severe neurological effects such as confusion, paralysis, and coma.
Medical Community Raises Awareness on Prevention
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) emphasized the need for greater awareness and faster medical response in suspected cases. As reported by newsGP, the infected man initially sought treatment but did not receive the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in time, which is critical in preventing the virus from taking hold once exposure occurs (RACGP, July 4, 2025).
Dr. Margie Danchin, an infectious diseases expert, stressed that although human transmission is rare, it is universally fatal once symptoms develop. “The key lies in urgent and thorough wound cleaning, followed by immediate immunoglobulin and a full rabies vaccination course,” she said.
Bats are a protected species in Australia, and only vaccinated wildlife handlers or professionals should interact with them. Health authorities reiterated that members of the public should never attempt to rescue or handle bats, even if the animals appear injured.
The case has sparked a broader conversation in medical and environmental circles about improving public health messaging, especially in rural and semi-urban communities where human-bat interactions are more common.
Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV): Rare but Dangerous
As detailed by the ABC News explainer (July 4, 2025), the Australian Bat Lyssavirus was first discovered in 1996, and while it shares genetic similarities with classical rabies, it is uniquely Australian in origin. There have been three previous human deaths due to ABLV in 1996, 1998, and 2013, making the 2025 case the fourth.
The virus is not spread through casual contact or airborne transmission; it requires direct exposure to infected saliva via scratches or bites. Experts also clarified that domestic pets, such as cats and dogs, can be infected if they come into contact with bats, but no cases of human-to-human transmission have ever been recorded.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the zoonotic risks associated with wildlife interactions, and health authorities are now reinforcing educational outreach to prevent similar fatalities in the future. The public is advised to call licensed wildlife rescue organizations if they encounter injured bats and to seek urgent medical advice in the event of any exposure.
Australia’s health officials are now reviewing existing response protocols and considering public health campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) and the importance of timely medical care following exposure.
