Travelvax

03/07/2025

Fiji is currently experiencing a significant dengue fever outbreak with 8,708 cases reported nationwide as of May 21, 2025, predominantly in the Western Division, and four confirmed deaths, prompting a red alert for residents and travellers. Lee Ann Tulloch’s article "I should be in Fiji this week, but I’m too afraid to go" reflects on the tension between the desire to visit Fiji and the fear or hesitation that currently holds her back. Read more: https://www.theage.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/i-should-be-in-fiji-this-week-but-i-m-too-afraid-to-go-20250613-p5m79b.html

Meanwhile, Tonga has reported 845 cases and three deaths since February, mainly affecting young people, with Dengue Virus Type 2 circulating. The Cook Islands declared a dengue outbreak in late May 2025, with 17 confirmed cases in Rarotonga’s Tupapa area, involving both DENV-1 and DENV-2 serotypes and confirmed local transmission.

Read more on Dengue fever prevention https://www.travelvax.com.au/holiday-traveller/other-diseases/dengue-fever

03/07/2025

A man in his 50s from northern NSW is in critical condition after contracting Australian bat lyssavirus, a deadly virus similar to rabies, following a bat bite. This is the first recorded human case in NSW and only the fourth in Australia, with all previous cases fatal. Health authorities warn the public not to handle bats and to assume all bats could carry the virus.

Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, apply an antiviral antiseptic, and seek urgent medical attention. There is no effective treatment once symptoms appear, so rapid post-exposure care is essential.

Travellers to overseas destinations where rabies is endemic should consider getting vaccinated against rabies. The costs associated with treatment overseas can be considerably higher than having 2 doses of vaccine before travel.

Read more: https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/man-critical-condition-with-a-lifethreatening-illness-after-he-was-bitten-by-a-bat-in-nsw/news-story/e32f406cf202698899be72cc8f04c142

15/03/2025

Measles Alert in Victoria and NSW: New Cases Linked to Travel from Bali and Other Asian Destinations

Health authorities have issued a warning as new measles cases emerge in Victoria and NSW, traced to recent travel from Bali and other parts of Asia.

Read more https://7news.com.au/news/measles-warning-in-victoria-and-nsw-as-new-cases-linked-to-travel-from-bali-and-other-asian-destinations-c-18048651 #

Nightclubs, shopping centres and hospitals are among the latest exposure sites. Here’s what you need to know.

28/02/2025

NSW Health is urging vigilance against mosquitoes after the state recorded its first Japanese encephalitis (JE) death since May 2022. A man in his 70s from northern Sydney died on February 23 after contracting the virus likely during a trip to the Murrumbidgee region in January. This is the third JE-related death in NSW since 2022. NSW Health also reported a new case in a woman in her 60s from northern NSW, likely contracted on her Tenterfield Shire property. She is currently receiving hospital care.

A mosquito-borne virus, JE is usually found in many part of Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and China, although cases also occur in Indonesia, PNG and since 2022 in Australia. It is mainly found in rural areas around rice paddies where pigs, wading birds and humans live closely together, however it does also occur in or near cities. The risk to short-stay travellers who confine their travel to urban centres and use appropriate mosquito bite avoidance measures is low. The recommendations for vaccination are itinerary-specific. JEV has now also been detected in humans, animals and mosquitos in mainland Australia, for local JEV information and state by state vaccine eligibility: https://www.health.gov.au/diseases/japanese-encephalitis

Read more on JE: https://www.travelvax.com.au/holiday-traveller/vaccinations/japanese-encephalitis

09/10/2024

🌍✈️ Exciting travel news! If you're planning your next adventure, don’t miss out on the latest insights and updates from the Travelvax newsletter. It’s packed with essential info on travel health, vaccination recommendations, and destination safety tips. Stay informed and travel smart! Subscribe today to make the most of your travels! 🧳✨

Read more: https://www.travelvax.com.au/travel-health-alerts/world-travel-health-alerts-october-2024-week-2

The Mozambican Health authorities have detected outbreaks of measles in four districts, warning that the outbreaks have been worsening over the last two months. Almost 350 cases have been reported with 68 hospitalisations.

16/08/2024

GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY AND MONKEYPOX

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, has declared that the increase in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several other African countries is a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) according to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR).

Read more: https://www.travelvax.com.au/latest-news/global-health-emergency-and-monkeypox

05/07/2024

Ask the Doc: Travel Medicine with Dr Eddy Bajrovic Medical Director Travelvax Australia

Hear more:

This week for 6PR Afternoons' Ask the Doc segment, a Perth travel medicine doctor joined the program to give some tips if you're travelling and considering you're health. Dr Eddy Bajrovic, Medical Director for TravelVax Australia to look at the most common medical emergencies, how to know if you're....