• Nathan B Unsworth, John Stenos, Alistair R McGregor, John R Dyer, and Stephen R Graves.
• The Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Melbourne, The Geelong Hospital, Victoria, Australia. nathanu@barwonhealth.org.au
• Pathology. 2005 Jun 1; 37 (3): 242-5.

AimTo demonstrate that Flinders Island spotted fever (FISF), a spotted fever group rickettsial infection caused by Rickettsia honei, is found not only on Flinders Island (Bass Strait), Tasmania, but elsewhere in south-east Australia.MethodsCases of FISF were identified by rickettsial serology, culture and the detection of rickettsial DNA via PCR. Isolates and PCR products were sequenced to identify the aetiological agent as R. honei.ResultsThree new cases of FISF were detected outside of Flinders Island. One on Schouten Island, south of the Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania, and two in south-eastern South Australia (McLaren Vale and Goolwa).ConclusionsThese cases show that FISF extends beyond Flinders Island and most likely has the same distribution across south-east Australia as its vector, the reptile tick Aponomma hydrosauri. FISF should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients from south-eastern Australia presenting with fever, headache and rash following a tick bite.

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