High School Musical and Baywatch star Zac Efron was reportedly flown to Australia after contracting a deadly illness while filming in Papua New Guinea, according to reports from The Sunday Telegraph and Daily Mail.
The news reports stated that the 32-year-old actor suffered a "form of typhoid or similar bacterial infection" that triggered "a life or death medical emergency".
Zac Efron is believed to have been in Papua New Guinea filming his upcoming docu-adventure series Killing Zac Efron, which is set to see the actor trek through jungles in a format similar to Man vs. Wild. Just before Christmas, he was reportedly flown to Brisbane, Australia by a medical evacuation crew, and hospitalized at St Andrews War Memorial Hospital.
The actor is now believed to have recovered and is currently back in the US.
According to The Sunday Telegraph, Dr Glenn McKay, Director of Medical Rescue - the organisation that oversaw Efron’s flight - declined to confirm the patient was the Hollywood star. But he confirmed the organisation “retrieved a US citizen in his 30s from PNG to Brisbane for medical attention in Australia”.
Zac Efron rose to fame with the immensely popular High School Musical franchise and was most recently lauded for his portrayal of serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile this year.
The Hollywood Reporter wrote about Zac Efron’s new TV series, stating that it features the actor venturing “deep into the jungle of a remote, dangerous island, falling off the grid for 21 days”.
Last month, Efron was announced as both star and executive producer on the Quibi adventure series, where he would forego all luxuries to survive with nothing but basic gear and a guide partner for the challenge.
Zac Efron was seen in photos posted on social media by Wewak tour guide Cyril Tara, who spoke about escorting the star around the island country.
Speaking ahead of filming, Efron reportedly said: "I tend to thrive under extreme circumstances and seek out opportunities that challenge me on every level.
"I am excited to explore any uncharted territory and discover what unexpected adventure awaits!"