Overview

• Craig Nolte, a 56-year-old Ballina carpenter, died on July 3 after developing lyssavirus despite receiving prompt immunoglobulin and vaccine treatment following a November bat bite.
• NSW Health has opened a detailed probe into whether errors in immunoglobulin administration, vaccine timing or patient factors contributed to the breakthrough infection.
• Nolte’s wife, Robyn, has publicly questioned how the recommended rabies prophylaxis did not prevent her husband’s fatal illness.
• Lyssavirus is a rare, rabies-like virus transmitted through bat bites or scratches that is almost always fatal once neurological symptoms appear.
• Health authorities are urging immediate wound washing, early medical evaluation and restricting bat handling to trained professionals to prevent future cases.