Dr Jo - Launceston’s Travel Doctor

16/11/2025

Starting out on my exploration of the Himalayas with an early morning flight over Mt Everest - thanks to the fantastic crew on Yeti Airlines!

05/10/2025

Enjoying respite from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo- exploring two beautiful parks: Meji-Gingu and Shinjuku-Gyeon

23/08/2025

If you’re heading to Europe, don’t forget the insect repellent! Mosquitoes carrying dengue (and other viruses) are there too.

🦟 Dengue fever isn’t just a tropical threat anymore. As Europe warms, the mosquito that spreads it is gaining ground, and fast. A new study shows how quickly it’s closing in on cities like London, Vienna and Frankfurt. In just 20 years, the Asian tiger mosquito has sped up its spread across F...

23/08/2025

Great tips from my colleagues at ISTM to ease the stress of long haul flights with the younger members of your family.

Great ideas for those travelling with children. Thanks to my colleagues at ISTM for sharing these hints and insights on making long haul flights less stressful.

15/08/2025

Immunisations aren’t just for infants. Adolescents also are recommended to have age-specific immunisations to protect their health. Find out which vaccines are available through the National Immunisation Programme to help keep your teenager healthy

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect your adolescent from diseases that can cause serious harm. On these pages, you’ll find information about the diseases that can cause harm to adolescents before and after they reach adulthood and the vaccines recommended to protect them. This include...

05/08/2025

Climbing Kilimanjaro or trekking to Everest Base Camp is on many people’s bucket list. Preparation is key for any expedition. Thanks to my colleagues in ISTM for highlighting the potential pitfalls and challenges of trekking st high altitude.

🏔️ Every year, nearly 50,000 people attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, but only 60% make it to the top—likely because many climbers, regardless of age, experience, and fitness level, will face something far more elusive: altitude illness. So what actually works to prevent or treat altitude i...

30/07/2025

Watch out for the monkeys in Bali - and not just because of the risk of rabies - they’re clever thieves as well..read on

A cabal of furry thieves sn**ch iPhones and other valuables from visitors to a temple in Bali—and trade them for mangos

21/07/2025

Health authorities are warning of the increased risk of rabies in tourist areas on Bali. Speak to travel medicine specialist or your local doctor about pre-exposure vaccination for rabies which simplifies management of a rabies exposure.

18/07/2025

Measles cases in Australia are increasing. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. A person infected with measles can infect between 12 and 28 people they come into contact with. Measles vaccination is free for everyone in Australia born during or after 1966. Check your vaccination status with your doctor to protect yourself and your family.
https://apple.news/Adt_0H10YRvKYk3jxvxr2DA

14/07/2025

Children who travel overseas from Australia to countries with a high tuberculosis (TB) incidence, primarily visiting families and relatives (VFR), are at risk of contracting TB. The bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is the most effective means of preventing TB meningitis (TBM) and disseminated TB in young children. BCG immunisation is available in specialist clinics in Australia. GPs are encouraged to recommend this vaccine to at-risk young VFR children.

https://medicinetoday.com.au/mt/2025/march/regular-series/immunisation-against-tuberculosis-children-travelling-overseas

Dr Jo runs regular BCG vaccination clinics - call 03 6388 8115 to enquire.

Peer Reviewed Travel medicine update Immunisation against tuberculosis for children travelling overseas Sonny Lau MB BS, MPHTM, FRCPEdin, FFTM, RCPSG Full text: PDF Copied to clipboard Dr Lau is Medical Director of the Travel Doctor – The Traveller's Medical & Vaccination Centre Clinic in Melbourn...

01/07/2025

Have just spent a great ten days in Bangkok at the Asian Clinical Tropical Medicine Course. Updates on malaria and dengue with interesting ward rounds and lab sessions as well as field trips. Many thanks to organising and presenting staff from our hosts at Mahidol University and Hospital for Tropical Diseases, also University of Ottawa and University of Minnesota.