Latest news with #NSWHealth
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning over triple virus threat striking the country - as experts reveal how you can avoid getting sick
A growing number of Aussie households are falling victim to a trifecta of nasty viruses as cases of influenza, Covid and RSV skyrocket across the country. More than 50,000 flu cases were detected in the first two weeks of July, with cases the highest in NSW (17,112), followed by Victoria (9,991) and Queensland (6,620). Covid and RSV cases were sitting at around 13,000 cases for the same period. The latest Australian Respiratory Surveillance report also found a 50 per cent increase in hospital admissions for the flu, with the majority of cases influenza A, and a worrying increase in patients requiring ventilators to help them breathe. Deakin University epidemiologist Catherine Bennett said that since April, more people have been hospitalised for the flu than RSV or Covid. 'It is worrying regarding the number of influenza hospitalisations and deaths,' she said. 'Influenza vaccine data shows vaccine uptake is still at the lower end of that seen over the past few years, including the most at risk group over 65 years of age.' NSW Health reports influenza activity has increased 42 per cent for the week ending on June 28, while in Queensland, influenza hospitalisations have skyrocketed. 'Since the start of the year, nearly 3,600 people have been hospitalised with flu – with 90 per cent of patients not vaccinated. This year's flu hospitalisations are nearly 16 per cent higher than the same period last year,' a spokesman said. Currently, national coverage is sitting at 28.9 per cent for the 2025 flu season and only 13.7 per cent of children aged five to 14 years old are vaccinated. Professor Bennett said influenza and Covid has peaked in NSW, but not in Victoria. While there is no surveillance data to examine correlations between illness severity and vaccination status, studies continue to show Covid booster doses reduced the risk of severe disease against the current dominant variants. RACGP vice president Dr Ramya Raman said from May to June 2025, monthly influenza cases have more than doubled in most states off the back of one of the worst flu seasons on record in the Northern Hemisphere. She said so far this July more than 16,000 Covid cases, 57,000 flu cases and 18,600 RSV notified cases had been lab-confirmed. She said the data is trending in a worrying direction. 'I've been in clinic for the last few weeks and certainly during the July school holidays I've seen a significant number of patients who have been unwell with respiratory symptoms and have tested positive to the flu or Covid,' she said. Dr Raman recommended people wear a mask in public to reduce the risk of transmission and talk to their GP about vaccination. 'Flu immunisation coverage is down, so if [patients] haven't had a flu shot this year, now is the time. We can't be complacent,' she said. 'We can keep everyone safer, including those too young to get a vaccine, by reducing the severity and caseload of influenza in the community. 'That means fewer hospitalisations, fewer deaths, and easier recovery.' There were 581 Covid-related deaths in the first four months of 2025, down 52 per cent from January to April 2024. There have been 180 deaths due to influenza in the first four months of 2025, a 73 per cent increase on the same period last year. There have been 19 deaths due to RSV published in the first four months of 2025.
Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Dad dies after being bitten by bat as he tried to free it from his home
A family was left devastated after a dad-of-two contracted a deadly disease similar to rabies when he was bitten by a rabid bat as he tried to remove it from his home A dad of two tragically died after 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. 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.
Sky News AU
16-07-2025
- Health
- Sky News AU
Victim of fatal bite bat who died after contracting rare virus identified as carpenter and father of two
A man who died after contracting the first recorded case of a rare virus in New South Wales has been identified as a carpenter and father of three. The Daily Telegraph has revealed Craig Nolte, aged in his 50s, as the man from the state's Northern Rivers region who died after he was bitten by a bat eight months ago. It is understood Mr Nolte received a bite to a finger when he attempted to free the animal from his veranda, according to the masthead. A NSW Health spokesperson confirmed on July 2 that a man had contracted Australian bat lyssavirus after being bitten by a bat several months prior. Director in Health Protection at NSW Health Keira Glasgow confirmed the man became the state's first recorded case of the rare virus, which is closely related to the rabies virus. The health authority announced the next day the man had succumbed to the illness after fighting for his life in hospital. "We express our sincere condolences to the man's family and friends for their tragic loss," a spokesperson said. "While it is extremely rare to see a case of Australian bat lyssavirus, there is no effective treatment for it." Mr Nolte's wife Robyn claims her husband died despite being receiving the immunoglobulin rabies vaccine. 'I said goodbye to Craig on the 3rd of July to a very quick case of lyssavirus,' Robyn said in a post on social media on Wednesday. 'Before anyone says anything yes eight months ago Craig got bitten and he got the post exposure prophylaxis injections. NSW health (is) still grappling in their words to how this happened that the injection didn't work.' 'RIP my love my best friend." According to The Daily Telegraph, NSW Health said in a statement on Wednesday that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Nolte's illness. 'An investigation is underway to understand factors which may have played a role in his illness' the statement said. "Post-exposure prophylaxis for lyssavirus exposure includes both immunoglobulin and at least four vaccines given over several weeks." Ms Glasgow earlier this month urged caution over lyssavirus, advising people to assume that any bat in the country could be carrying the virus. 'If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, urgent medical assessment is crucial,' Ms Glasgow said in a statement. 'You will need to wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes right away with soap and water and apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action, such as betadine, and allow it to dry. You will then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine.' The virus has also been found in other animals including species of flying foxes, fruit bats and insect-eating microbats.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Aussie father-of-two who DIED after catching a horrific virus when he was bitten by a bat is identified - as horror new details emerge
A father-of-two who died after being bitten by a bat has been identified, with his grieving wife claiming health authorities are still 'grappling' with how medical treatment failed to save his life. Craig Nolte, 56, tried to free the bat - which had flown into the verandah of his Ballina home and gotten trapped - when he was bitten in October last year. The carpenter by trade contracted the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) from the bite, which marked the first case of the virus in NSW. His wife Robyn, who operates a childcare centre in Ballina, confirmed he received a prophylaxis immunoglobulin injection after he was bitten by the animal. 'NSW Health [is] still grappling in their words [about] how this happened that the injection didn't work,' she wrote in a post to social media on Wednesday. 'RIP my love my best friend.' NSW Health confirmed he received initial treatment but later developed symptoms and fell into a critical condition. On Wednesday, it offered its 'sincere condolences' to friends and family and said an investigation was underway into the circumstances surrounding his illness. 'Post-exposure prophylaxis for lyssavirus exposure includes both immunoglobulin and at least four vaccines given over several weeks,' it said. 'The treatment is very safe and has been proven worldwide to be highly effective.' More to come.
7NEWS
16-07-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Craig Nolte: Man who died from lyssavirus after bat bite identified as 56-year-old tradie
An Australian who died after being bitten by a bat has been identified, with his devastated wife now raising questions about how the situation took such a tragic turn, despite him receiving treatment. Craig Nolte, who was a carpenter, was reportedly trying to free a bat that had flown onto his balcony when he was bitten on the finger in November 2024. The 56-year-old, from Ballina in northern NSW, received treatment after the incident, but he later fell into a critical condition, according to NSW Health. Mr Nolte's wife, Robyn, is now scratching her head over how her husband's health changed so dramatically, claiming he was given the immunoglobulin rabies vaccine that 'didn't work'. The vaccine is a crucial component of post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies, preventing infection caused by the virus. Mrs Nolte took to social media to pay tribute to her husband and express her frustration over having few answers around why the vaccine wasn't effective. 'I need to put this out to the community as Craig, Zebbo, was a local and having owned Ballina kiddi care childcare for 18 years, we knew a lot of families,' she wrote. 'Before anyone says anything, yes, 8 months ago Craig got bitten and he got the post-exposure prophylaxis injections. 'NSW health still grappling in their words to how this happened, that the injection didn't work. 'RIP my love, my best friend.' Extensive exposure wounds close to innervated areas like fingers carry increased infection risk, resulting in a shorter incubation period of the lyssavirus, medical advice says. The father-of-two was the first confirmed human case of lyssavirus in NSW and only the fourth in the country. Lyssavirus infections are extremely rare but deadly. The disease causes severe neurological symptoms similar to rabies and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
