Pathology
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To 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. ⋯ These 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.