<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A man has died after contracting the first recorded case of Australian bat lyssavirus in New South Wales.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Health confirmed today the man from the state's north, aged in his 50s, has died several months after being bitten by a bat.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bat-bite-nsw-man-critical-in-hospital-with-states-first-confirmed-lyssavirus-case/e9a62337-6aea-44ba-be02-11728ec53431" rel="" target="_blank" title="He had been fighting for his life in hospital in a critical condition"><span>He had been fighting for his life in hospital in a critical condition</span></a><span> following contraction of the "incredibly rare" virus.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/visas-australia-south-korean-family-in-melbourne-facing-deportation-over-document-error-plea-to-immigration-minister/fbe7e793-9a9f-4a63-a16a-ed0accae724e" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Melbourne family face being deported to South Korea over 'misunderstanding'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's only the fourth confirmed case nationally of Australian bat lyssavirus.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While it is extremely rare to see a case of Australian bat lyssavirus, there is no effective treatment for it," a NSW Health spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"NSW Health reminds the community to avoid touching or handling bats, as any bat in Australia could carry lyssavirus. Infected bats can transmit the virus to humans when its saliva enters the body via a bat bite or scratch.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/bat-lyssavirus-australian-man-dies-first-recorded-case-in-new-south-wales/5cd2ef02-10ad-446c-aaf4-22e18089feb5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Only wildlife handlers who are trained, protected, and vaccinated should interact with bats."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a bat is urged to seek urgent medical treatment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australian bat lyssavirus is a close relative to the rabies virus, the spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/diddy-update-sean-combs-found-not-guilty-on-most-serious-charges-in-sex-trafficking-trial/05f4fcdf-86cf-4d76-91d1-3090cb7da44c" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail after mixed verdict</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has been found in species of flying foxes, fruit bats, and insect-eating microbats.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Patients who contract the virus require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Director in health protection Keira Glasgow said yesterday it was a "very tragic situation".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The man had been bitten by a bat several months ago and received treatment following the injury," Glasgow said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Further investigation is underway to understand whether other exposures or factors played a role in his illness."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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