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Australian dies of rare mosquito-borne disease after visiting Thailand
By Anne Barker
Updated about 3 hours ago
An Australian man returned from Thailand has died from the rare but potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease, Japanese encephalitis.
Key points:
Japanese encephalitis causes brain infection that is fatal in 20 to 30 per cent of cases
There is no risk man's illness could endanger other Australians, doctor says
Doctor says man had not been vaccinated and didn't seek pre-travel advice about virus
It is understood to be only the 10th case of the disease recorded in Australia since 2001 and one of only a handful of deaths in that time, although Japanese encephalitis is endemic in South-East Asia, where it is most commonly found in rural or farming areas.
The Victorian man in his 60s had visited Phuket for 10 days in early May and became lethargic on day eight.
...
By Anne Barker
Updated about 3 hours ago
An Australian man returned from Thailand has died from the rare but potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease, Japanese encephalitis.
Key points:
Japanese encephalitis causes brain infection that is fatal in 20 to 30 per cent of cases
There is no risk man's illness could endanger other Australians, doctor says
Doctor says man had not been vaccinated and didn't seek pre-travel advice about virus
It is understood to be only the 10th case of the disease recorded in Australia since 2001 and one of only a handful of deaths in that time, although Japanese encephalitis is endemic in South-East Asia, where it is most commonly found in rural or farming areas.
The Victorian man in his 60s had visited Phuket for 10 days in early May and became lethargic on day eight.
...