A man from Australia has died after a bat gave him a deadly virus. The 50-year-old victim caught Australian bat lyssavirus from a bite several months ago. Health officials confirmed his death and said the infection acts just like rabies. The man lived somewhere up north and doctors kept his name private. His family received sympathy from the New South Wales health department.
This virus kills people because there are no medicines that work against it. Only three other people have caught this disease since doctors first found it back in 1996. All four victims have died from the infection. The germs spread when bat spit gets into cuts or bite wounds on human skin. Flying foxes and tiny bug-eating bats carry the dangerous virus around Australia.
Sick people first feel like they have the flu with headaches and fever. Their bodies get tired and weak during the early stages. The disease attacks the brain and nervous system as time passes. Victims lose control of their muscles and start having seizures. Death comes after the person falls into a coma.
People need to stay away from all bats because any one might carry the virus. Anyone who gets bitten must wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. Doctors give special shots to patients who have been exposed to the virus. The treatment works best when people get help right after being bitten. Health workers warn that waiting makes the medicine less effective.
This virus kills people because there are no medicines that work against it. Only three other people have caught this disease since doctors first found it back in 1996. All four victims have died from the infection. The germs spread when bat spit gets into cuts or bite wounds on human skin. Flying foxes and tiny bug-eating bats carry the dangerous virus around Australia.
Sick people first feel like they have the flu with headaches and fever. Their bodies get tired and weak during the early stages. The disease attacks the brain and nervous system as time passes. Victims lose control of their muscles and start having seizures. Death comes after the person falls into a coma.
People need to stay away from all bats because any one might carry the virus. Anyone who gets bitten must wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. Doctors give special shots to patients who have been exposed to the virus. The treatment works best when people get help right after being bitten. Health workers warn that waiting makes the medicine less effective.
