Dad dies after being bitten by bat as he tried to free it from his home

A dad of two tragically diedafter being bitten by a bat in a case reported to be a regional first.

Craig 'Zeb' Nolte, 56, died this month after he was bitten by a bat when he tried to set the creature free after it became stuck in the verandah of his home.

The bite in October last year saw Mr Nolte, a carpenter, contract the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV). This is believed to be the first case in New South Wales, Australia, and the fourth in the country overall.

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NSW Health confirmed comments from Mr Nolte’s wife Robyn that her husband had received a prophylaxis immunoglobulin injection after the bite occurred. Robyn had said in a social media post that NSW health was “still grappling in their words [about] how this happened that the injection didn't work”.

NSW Health, which offered its “sincere condolences”, said Mr Nolte received initial treatment but that he developed symptoms of the virus, which is incurable, and fell into a critical condition, the Daily Mail reported.

The health body also said that an investigation is underway into the the circumstances of Mr Nolte’s illness. “Post-exposure prophylaxis for lyssavirus exposure includes both immunoglobulin and at least four vaccines given over several weeks,” NSW Health said. “The treatment is very safe and has been proven worldwide to be highly effective.”

Friends paid tribute to Mr Nolte on social media and shared their shock at his death this month. One friend confirmed on July 1 that Mr Nolte was on life support with only a “few days left”.

One person responded that they “had a surf” with him a “couple of months ago” and he was “full of life and keen to get into the water more”. Another said they were in “disbelief” at the news.

NSW Health said ABLV is similar to rabies. “Rabies virus and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) belong to a group of viruses called lyssaviruses,” the body explained.

“These viruses transmit via a bite from an infected ("rabid") animal. They all cause a similar illness known as rabies, which affects the central nervous system and is usually fatal.”

Early symptoms include fatigue, a headache and fever. This can progress into delirium, convulsions, paralysis and eventually death.

The other three cases of the disease recorded in Australia, including that of an eight-year-old boy in Queensland in 2013, all resulted in deaths.

NSW Health warned people who travel to the country that “people who come into contact with wild or domestic mammals, including bats, in a rabies endemic country are at increased risk of rabies infection”.

If bitten - the advice remains the same for those who have been vaccinated or not - then the advice is to immediately wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Antiseptic with an anti-virus action should also be applied and medical attention sought.