A Melbourne man visiting Bali has contracted the potentially fatal virus Japanese encephalitis.
It is the first time a case has been reported in Victoria, with just nine cases ever reported in Australia.
Confirmation the 45-year-old had contracted the rare condition prompted health authorities to urge all travellers to be vaccinated before they head overseas.
“This highly unusual and unfortunate situation emphasises the importance of pre-travel health advice,” Victoria’s chief health officer Rosemary Lester said.
A mosquito-borne virus, Japanese encephalitis is fatal in 20 to 30 per cent of cases.
It can cause long-term neurological complications in up to half of cases.
Dr Lester said the virus was not a communicable condition.
More to come