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Outbreak Surveillance
Clinical Updates
Information that may result in a change in travel advice
Health Information Sheets
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Australia, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands and the Coral Sea Islands
See also:
Welcome to the NaTHNaC Country Information page.
The information on this page should be used as part of a comprehensive pre-travel health consultation. Ideally this should be scheduled at least six weeks prior to travel. All travellers should have adequate travel health insurance.
Contents
On this page:
- Recent Clinical Updates
- General Health Risks
- Vaccine Preventable Risks
- Non-Vaccine Preventable Risks
Country Specific Links:
Clinical Updates provide information which may result in a change in travel health advice or practice.
Recent Clinical Updates for this country are listed below:
- 14 January 2013:
- Measles Risk for Travellers – Reminder
Some health risks apply to travellers to all countries. Please see below for a list of important health information sheets. A full list of information sheets is available through the Health Information Sheets link on the left hand side of the page.
Health Professionals |
Travellers |
Travellers should be up to date with routinely recommended vaccinations according to the UK schedule:
- NHS Immunisation Information
- Department of Health Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (Green book)
Yellow Fever
Administration of yellow fever vaccine should take into account both the certificate requirements under International Health Regulations and the risk of yellow fever at the destination. The lack of a certificate requirement does not necessarily indicate that there is no risk of disease.
YELLOW FEVER
Yellow fever is a systemic viral disease.
Risk assessment
- There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country, however, there is a certificate requirement.
Certificate requirements
- Under International Health Regulations (2005), a certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required from travellers over 1 year of age entering Australia within 6 days of having stayed overnight or longer in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, excluding Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, limited to Misiones province in Argentina, and including Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia and the United Republic of Tanzania.
- View the list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. (179KB PDF)
- As of 1 November 2012, the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing published revised certificate requirements for travellers entering Australia. See http://www.health.gov.au/yellowfever for further information.
Resources
Additional Risks
The diseases below may be a risk in all or part of the country and are presented alphabetically:
Hepatitis A,
Hepatitis B,
Japanese encephalitis,
HEPATITIS A
Hepatitis A is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver. A map showing the global areas at risk for hepatitis A can be found here (102 KB GIF)
Risk assessment
- EpidemiologyInformation on the occurrence of disease within this country - Hepatitis A is known to occur in this country although the risk to most travellers is considered to be low.
- ExposureInformation on the mode of transmission and factors that may increase disease risk - Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Travellers who will have access to safe food and water are at low risk. Those at higher risk include travellers visiting friends and relatives, long stay travellers, and those visiting areas of poor sanitation.
Risk management
- Travellers should practice strict food, water and personal hygiene precautions.
- Vaccine may be givenMost travellers at low risk, consider vaccine for those in risk categories to travellers whose planned activities put them at higher risk of exposure (see above).
- Because hepatitis A vaccine is well tolerated and affords long-lasting protection, it may be givenMost travellers at low risk, consider vaccine for those in risk categories to all previously unvaccinated travellers.
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Vaccine should also be given to those with chronic liver disease or haemophilia, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users and those at occupational risk.
Resources
HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver and may lead to chronic complications.
Risk assessment
- EpidemiologyInformation on the occurrence of disease within this country - Less than 2% of the population in this country is a carrier of hepatitis B virus (low endemicity).
- ExposureInformation on the mode of transmission and factors that may increase disease risk - Hepatitis B is transmitted via infected blood or bodily fluids. Travellers may be exposed when receiving medical or dental treatment, via direct contact between open skin lesions, or if participating in risk behaviour such as needle sharing, unprotected sex or contact sports. Healthcare workers are at higher risk.
Risk management
- Travellers should avoid contact with blood or bodily fluids. Where contact is unavoidable, appropriate protective precautions should be taken.
- A sterile medical kit should be carried.
- Most travellers are at low risk.
- Vaccine should be givenAll travellers in risk categories should receive vaccine to adult and child travellers at risk due to the nature of their activities or occupation (see above).
- Vaccine should also be givenAll travellers in risk categories should receive vaccine to those with chronic kidney failure, liver disease or haemophilia, injecting drug users, men who have sex with men and individuals who change sexual partners frequently.
Resources
Health ProfessionalsNaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Hepatitis B Department of Health Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (Green Book) |
Travellers |
JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system.
Risk assessment
- EpidemiologyInformation on the occurrence of disease within this country - JE occurs in this country with year-round transmission. The affected areas are the Islands of Torres Strait and the Cape York Pennisula.
- ExposureInformation on the mode of transmission and factors that may increase disease risk - JE virus is transmitted to humans from animals (mainly pigs) and birds via the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. Culex mosquitoes feed predominantly during the hours from dusk to dawn. Short-term travellers and those who restrict their visits to urban areas are at very low risk. Those at higher risk are travellers who visit or work in rural agricultural areas such as rice fields and marshland. Long-term travellers and expatriates are also at higher risk.
Risk management
- Travellers should take mosquito bite avoidance measures. Culex mosquitoes feed predominantly during the hours from dusk to dawn.
- Vaccination should be givenAll travellers in risk categories should receive vaccine to travellers whose planned activities put them at higher risk (see above).
- There are specific contraindications and adverse events associated with JE vaccine. A careful risk assessment should be made before administration and specialist advice sought as appropriate.
Resources
RABIES
Rabies is a neurological disease caused by viruses of the Lyssavirus genus.
Risk assessment
- EpidemiologyInformation on the occurrence of disease within this country - Bat lyssaviruses are known to exist in Australia.
- ExposureInformation on the mode of transmission and factors that may increase disease risk - Transmission may occur following the bite of an infected bat. Bites from bats are frequently unrecognised. Risk of exposure is increased by type of activity and accommodation, occupation (e.g. veterinarians) and longer duration of stay. Children may be less likely to avoid contact with bats and to report a bite.
Risk management
- Travellers should avoid contact with bats.
- Pre-exposure vaccination should be considered for adults and children who are at increased risk (see above).
- Following a bite, wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and an urgent medical assessment sought, even if the wound appears trivial. Prompt post-exposure treatment is required, even if pre-exposure vaccine has been received.
- Suitable vaccine and immunoglobulin may be in short supply or unavailable in some countries.
Resources
Health ProfessionalsNaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Rabies Department of Health. Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (Green Book) |
Travellers |
TETANUS
Tetanus is caused by a toxin released from Clostridium tetani bacteria.
Risk assessment
- EpidemiologyInformation on the occurrence of disease within this country - Tetanus bacteria are found worldwide.
- ExposureInformation on the mode of transmission and factors that may increase disease risk - Tetanus bacteria are present in soil and manure and may be introduced through open wounds such as a puncture wound, burn or scratch.
Risk management
- Travellers should thoroughly clean all wounds and seek appropriate medical attention
- Travellers should have completed a primary vaccination course according to the UK schedule.
- A booster dose should be givenAll travellers in risk categories should receive vaccine to travellers whose last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine was given more than 10 years ago, and who will not have ready access to medical care; even if they have received five doses previously.
Resources
Health ProfessionalsNaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Tetanus Department of Health Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (Green Book) |
Travellers |
This section details infectious disease risks for which there are no vaccines as well as some non-infectious disease risks. This is not an exhaustive list. Further information about infectious and non-infectious disease risks can be found on the NaTHNaC Health Information Sheets. Travellers should be aware that accidents and injuries are a cause of serious illness during travel.
Malaria
MALARIA
There is no risk of malaria in this country.
Additional Risks
The risks below may be a risk in all or part of the country and are presented alphabetically:
DENGUE FEVER
Dengue is a systemic viral disease. A map showing the global areas at risk for dengue can be found here (85 KB GIF)
Risk assessment
- EpidemiologyInformation on the occurrence of disease within this country - There is a risk of dengue in the state of Queensland. At present the risk of dengue fever in other parts of Australia is minimal.
- ExposureInformation on the mode of transmission and factors that may increase disease risk - Dengue is transmitted via the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes feed predominantly during daylight hours and are most abundant in urban or peri-urban settings. All travellers to dengue areas are at risk.
Risk management
- Travellers should take mosquito bite avoidance measures. Aedes mosquitoes feed predominantly during daylight hours.
- There is no vaccination or medication to prevent dengue.
- A previous dengue illness with one of the four dengue virus serotypes does not confer immunity to other virus serotypes.
- Infection with a second dengue serotype may be a risk factor for the development of dengue haemorrhagic fever.
Resources
Health ProfessionalsNaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Dengue Fever |
Travellers |
The travel health information contained in these pages is intended for health professionals who assess a patients travel health needs. This document is not a complete medical guide for travellers and as such travellers using this site should consult with a health professional for specific information related to your travel and medical history. While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the travel health information, NaTHNaC cannot accept any liability for injury, loss or damage arising in any respect of any statement contained therein.
For the purpose of these web pages the term "country" covers countries, territories and areas. Areas within a country may be shown separately where it is felt necessary in order to provide travel health information.
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