Ballina man Craig Nolte remembered after dying from lyssavirus
Craig Nolte, aged in his 50s, died on July 3 after what his wife described as a 'very quick case of lyssavirus'.
Mr Nolte is the first confirmed case of the rare infection in NSW.
Typically transmitted through bites or scratches from infected bats, lyssavirus is closely related to rabies.
Mr Nolte's wife, Robyn, shared the news on social media, paying tribute to her 'best friend'.
'I said goodbye to Craig on the 3rd of July to a very quick case of lyssavirus,' she said.
'RIP my love, my best friend.'
She said Mr Nolte, affectionately known as 'Zebbo', was a familiar face in the community after operating Ballina Kiddi Care for 18 years.
'I need to put this out to the community,' she said.
'We knew a lot of families.'
Ms Nolte said her husband had been bitten by a bat eight months before his death and had received the full post-exposure prophylaxis treatment.
'Eight months ago Craig got bitten and he got the post exposure prophylaxis injections,' she said.
'NSW Health still grappling in their words to how this happened that the injection didn't work.'
NSW Health issued a statement expressing 'sincere condolences to the man's family and friends for their tragic loss' and confirmed his case was being 'looked at by experts'.
'The man had been bitten by a bat several months ago and received treatment following the injury,' a NSW health spokesperson said.
'An investigation is underway to understand factors which may have played a role in his illness.
'Post-exposure prophylaxis for lyssavirus exposure includes both immunoglobulin and at least four vaccines given over several weeks.
'The treatment is very safe and has been proven worldwide to be highly effective.'
While cases of the virus are extremely rare, health authorities acknowledged that there have been occasional reports of breakthrough infections worldwide.
'These are thoroughly investigated to determine the contributing factors. This recent case in NSW is being looked at by experts.'
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