Debbie and Steve Mogridge returned recently from a 10-night stay in a reputable four-star hotel, where Mrs Mogridge did all her eating.

“She was very careful not to drink the water and always washed her hands thoroughly before and after every meal and every trip to the loo,” Mr Mogridge said.

“Deb only used the loos at the hotel and kept drinking bottled water to keep up with hydration - yet despite taking all precautions, she got Bali belly which turned out to be Salmonella poisoning.”

Mr Mogridge said that the strain of Salmonella his wife contracted kills an average 400 Australians every year, and is running rife in Bali.

“If you are planning a trip to Bali please read this first before making a final decision,” Mr Mogridge said.

“We were told by the hotel staff in Bali that they suffer from this disease as well and at least one of our masseurs was off work during our stay because her daughter was very ill with bali belly.”

Mr Mogridge said since coming home, Mrs Mogridge has endured severe abdominal pain, visited the toilet about 12 times a day, has not had a full night’s sleep, has not eaten a meal and has lost two kilograms in eight days.

“Deb is off work until at least March 5 and can only return when the Health Department is totally satisfied that she is completely cured, which can take four to six weeks,” he said.

“The doctor’s bills, the pathology bills and the medication costs have turned what was supposedly a cheap holiday into a very expensive, painful, stressful and disruptive experience and one we would not wish upon our worst enemy.”