Japanese encephalitis after a two-week holiday in Bali

Japanese encephalitis is described in a 10-year-old girl after a short holiday in Bali. Four days after returning to Australia the patient presented with a high fever, stupor and rapidly-developing focal neurological signs. Recovery occurred gradually over a period of three months and she has returned to school. Japanese encephalitis viral infection was confirmed by a marked rise in specific haemagglutination-inhibition antibodies and the presence of immunoglobulin M antibodies to the flavivirus group. It is important to be aware of the possibility of arboviral infection in patients with encephalitis. In view of the recent outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis in Asia, travellers to the region should be warned to protect themselves from mosquito-bites.