Luke Shambrook, the 11-year-old boy with autism who was found alive on Tuesday after being missing for five days in north-east Victoria, is “doing fabulously” according to his doctor.

A large-scale search operation was launched when he went missing from the Candlebark camping ground near Lake Eildon on Good Friday.

He was spotted by a police helicopter in bushland a few kilometres away and was taken to hospital with dehydration, hypothermia and fatigue.

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Luke’s doctor, Amy Gray, of the Royal Children’s Hospital said Luke was in better condition than they would expect, the ABC reports.

“The main issue for us overnight have been hydration, but this morning he’s doing better and clearly improving and asking for things he normally would and interacting with those around him,” Dr Gray said.

“We think he’s doing fabulously for someone who has been through what we can only imagine.

“He’s doing really well and that’s really the most important thing. He got some sleep, he got some rest. I’m sure he’ll need some more.

“He is clearly still a bit weak and tired (but) as he gets a bit more energy he’s starting to talk to his family.

“They’re with him and they’re happy to have him back.”

Dr Gray said Luke would need to stay in hospital for at least another day.

“I think we’re just taking that step by step. So certainly he’s recovering and he’s doing better each hour that passes,” she said.

“So it will be a matter (of time) to see when he can eat and drink and get up on his feet.

“We certainly wouldn’t expect him to have any ongoing physical impacts from this.”