Headlines: NSW records first death from rare bat virus

Today's headlines include: 

A NSW man has become the first person outside of Queensland to die from Australian bat lyssavirus, a rare infection similar to rabies. 

The driver jailed over the fatal 2023 Hunter Valley bus crash has launched an appeal against his 32-year prison term. 

At least four people have died and dozens are missing after an Indonesian ferry sank off the coast of Bali. 

And today’s good news: Native Australian bee honey could help tackle the global antibiotic resistance crisis.

Hosts: Sam Koslowski and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Emma Gillespie

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
From the Daily Os. I'm belief that Simon, I'm Sam
Kazlowski say, the third of July. Here's what's making headlines.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
A seeking a New South Wales man has become the
first person outside of Queensland to die from Australian bat lisavirus,
a rare infection similar to rabies. Lisavirus is transmitted through
bat bites or scratches and becomes untreatable once symptoms develop.
In an update yesterday, New South Wales Health confirms a

(00:33):
man in his fifties from the States North had contracted
the incredibly rare virus and was in a critical condition.
He was bidden by a bat several months ago and
received treatment following the injury. It's understood the man died
in hospital today. New South Wales Health said it is
conducting further investigation to understand whether other exposures or factors

(00:53):
played a role in his illness. All previous human cases
of the infection had occurred in Queensland, where there have
been three deaths since nineteen ninety six.

Speaker 1 (01:04):
The driver jailed over the fatal Hunter Valley bus crash
has launched an appeal against his thirty two year prison term.
Brett Button was driving Guess home from a wedding when
he lost control and crashed, killing ten passengers and injuring
twenty five. Button pleaded guilty to thirty five charges, including
dangerous driving causing death. He told the court last year

(01:26):
that he was dependent on a prescription opioid and that
it impaired his driving. He was sentenced in September to
a maximum of thirty two years in jail, with the
possibility of parole after twenty four years. However, Button's lawyers
dispute findings he knowingly drove under the influence of painkillers,
and claimed his sentence is too harsh. An appeal hearing

(01:46):
is scheduled for October.

Speaker 2 (01:50):
At least four people have died and dozens are missing
after an Indonesian ferry sunk off the coast of Bali.
The ferry departed from a town on Indonesia's main island
of with sixty five people on board before sinking late
last night. Search and rescue efforts were delayed due to
severe weather and strong swells. However, emergency services said conditions

(02:10):
had cleared, allowing for the rescues of twenty nine people
so far. The search for thirty two others is continuing,
while the Indonesian government has ordered an immediate emergency response.

Speaker 1 (02:23):
And today's good news, native Australian bee honey could help
tackle the global antibiotic resistance crisis. University of Sydney scientists
tested honey from three species of stingless bees, known as
sugar bag bees. The honey from all three successfully killed
germs even after being heated up or kept in storage
for lengthy periods. Researchers believe it could be used to

(02:46):
help fight antibiotic resistance. This is because the native bee
honey is able to fight germs in multiple ways, making
it harder for bacteria to become resistant to it. Sugar
Bag bee honey is used in First Nation communities as
a traditional remedy for itchy skin and saws. It has
now been approved by Australian food authorities, paving the way
for more research and future medicinal products.

Speaker 2 (03:09):
That's all we've got time for today on the Daily ODS.
We're going to be back tomorrow morning with another day
Dive where I'm going to tell you the science of
how to be cool. That's it from us though today.
Enjoy your evening.

Speaker 1 (03:19):
Bye.

Speaker 2 (03:24):
My name is Lily Maddon and I'm a proud Arunda
Bungelung Calcuttin woman from Gadighl country. The Daily ozz acknowledges
that this podcast is recorded on the lands of the
Gadighl people and pays respect to all Aboriginal and Torres
right island and nations.

Speaker 1 (03:39):
We pay our respects to the first peoples of these countries,
both past and present.