Rabies. A second Australian case, with a long incubation period.

OBJECTIVE: The description of a second case of rabies in Australia, stressing the clinical features and that long incubation periods are possible.

CLINICAL FEATURES: A 10-year-old Vietnamese girl presented with fever, shoulder pain, subcutaneous emphysema, swallowing difficulty and agitation. After a period of maniacal behaviour all peripheral and central nervous system function was lost.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Despite maximal intensive care, the patient died. The diagnosis of rabies was made at autopsy.

CONCLUSIONS: Rabies occurs in Australia and needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute encephalitis and/or the Guillain-Barré syndrome. Incubation periods of more than six years can occur.