father-of-two who DIED after catching a horrific virus when he was bitten by a bat
By NICK WILSON and NICHOLAS COMINO
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 'Zeb' 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.
Father-of-two Craig Nolte (pictured) died after being bitten by a bat in November last year
Ms Nolte (left) is mourning the loss of her 'best friend' and husband
'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.'
Friends were in disbelief when they learned the father-of-two had been placed on life support, remembering him as being 'full of life'.
Loved ones referred to him as a hard-working and kind soul with a passion for the outdoors.
'He was the hardest worker and the loveliest man, big hart, a gentleman. he wouldn't have been scared of a bat, he was 6 ft 4,' one friend said, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Mr Nolte's was the fourth case of the virus recorded in Australia.
It has no known cure and the other three cases also died, including an eight-year-old Queensland boy in 2013.
ABLV is closely related to the rabies virus and is typically transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal.
Mr Nolte is pictured alongside his wife Robyn prior to his tragic passing
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Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader supported calls for investigations into the circumstances leading to Mr Nolte's death.
'This is tragic set of circumstances, my heart goes to the family, but questions need to be asked why the vaccine didn’t work,' she said, the Daily Telegraph reported.
'Any loss in our community to a preventable occurrence is heartbreaking and a thorough investigation needs to be carried out as to why the vaccine didn’t work.'
Ms Cadwallader said there were 'too many' unanswered questions Mr Nolte's family deserves answers to.
The tragedy has prompted renewed warnings to avoid touching or handling bats.
'When a bat is injured or in distress, do not try to rescue it. Contact experts at your local wildlife rescue group, which has trained staff who can deal with bats safely,' NSW Health said.
Large colonies of native bats are known to inhabit several areas across Sydney, including Centennial Park, Burnt Bridge Creek in Balgowlah, and Parramatta Park.
NSW Health said experts are reviewing Mr Nolte's case as investigations continue.
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