Australians travelling to Bali are being warned of a rabies outbreak on the island.
The warning comes from the head of the Northern Territory's Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Peter Markey, who says anyone bitten or scratched on the island by an animal should seek medical advice; the warning also applies to people who have been to Bali recently.
Dr. Markey says anyone who visited Bali since August 1st and was scratched or bitten by a cat dog or monkey should seek medical advice as if left untreated rabies is almost always fatal.
Rabies affects the brain and the usual incubation period is three to eight weeks, but sometimes it can appear a long time after the bite.
Until the outbreak was confirmed a week ago in two dogs in Kuta, Bali was considered to be rabies free - Kuta is a part of the island particularly popular with Australian tourists.
Dr. Markey says at present there is no indication that the disease has spread to animals other than dogs, but any animal should be considered as a potential risk.
In order to control the situation, authorities in Bali are culling some animals and vaccinating dogs and people in the affected villages.
Dr. Markey says people suspected to have been exposed to rabies should receive rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) and a rabies vaccination as soon as possible.
A statement from the NT Department of Health and Families warns people visiting the island to avoid contact dogs, cats and monkeys.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 55,000 people die of rabies each year and around 95% of those deaths occur in Asia and Africa.
Most deaths follow a bite from an infected dog - between 30% to 60% of the victims of dog bites are children under the age of 15.