Travel vaccinations for Australia

Tetanus is caused by a toxin released from Clostridium tetani bacteria and occurs worldwide. Tetanus bacteria are present in soil and manure and may be introduced through open wounds such as a puncture wound, burn or scratch. Travellers should thoroughly clean all wounds and seek medical attention for injuries such as animal bites/scratches, burns or wounds contaminated with soil. Travellers should have completed a tetanus vaccination course according to the UK schedule. If travelling to a country or area where medical facilities may be limited, a booster dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine is recommended if the last dose was more than ten years ago even if five doses of vaccine have been given previously. Country-specific information on medical facilities may be found in the 'health' section of the FCDO foreign travel advice pages.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. This mostly occurs during sexual contact or as a result of blood-to-blood contact (for example from contaminated equipment during medical and dental procedures, tattooing or body piercing procedures, and sharing of intravenous needles). Mothers with the virus can also pass on the infection to their baby during childbirth. This country is considered to have an intermediate or high prevalence of hepatitis B. Travellers should avoid contact with blood or body fluids. This includes: Avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse. Avoiding tattooing, piercing, public shaving, and acupuncture (unless sterile equipment is used). Not sharing needles or other injection equipment. Following universal precautions if working in a healthcare or other higher risk setting. A sterile medical equipment kit may be helpful when travelling to resource poor areas. Vaccination could be considered for all travellers and is recommended for those whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk. This includes: Those who may have unprotected sex. Those who may be exposed to contaminated needles through injecting drug use. Those who may be exposed to blood or body fluids through their work (e.g. health and aid workers). Those at high risk of requiring medical or dental procedures or hospitalisation e.g. those with pre-existing medical conditions, those who may require travelling for medical care abroad, or those travelling to visit families or relatives. Long-stay travellers. Those who are participating in contact sports. Families adopting children from this country.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. These mosquitoes usually bite between dusk and dawn, mainly in rural areas – especially where there are rice fields, swamps and marshes. Mosquitoes become infected by biting JE-infected animals, particularly pigs or birds. Travellers are at increased risk of infection when visiting rural areas. Short trips (usually less than a month), especially if only travelling to urban areas, are considered lower risk. JE occurs in this country; most cases are reported December to March. In northern Australia the risk may be year-round. The affected areas include parts of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia (some areas of Kimberley and Pilbara), South Australia (particularly the Murray-Darling basin) and the Northern Territory (particularly the Torres Strait and Tiwi Islands). Vaccination campaigns are in place for some residents of affected areas. Please also check the outbreaks and important news section. All travellers should avoid mosquito bites particularly between dusk and dawn. Vaccination can be considered for the following groups: Those residing in an area where JE is endemic (is present) Those staying in JE-endemic area for one month or more during transmission season Those frequently travelling to JE-affected areas Those who are uncertain about their itinerary, location, activities and duration of stay Those who are exposed to JE virus through their work, such as laboratory staff working with the virus Vaccination can also be considered for those with shorter exposure periods but increased risk of JE due to their planned itinerary, location and activities e.g. visiting rice field or pig farms.

Polio is caused by one of three types of polio virus and is transmitted by contaminated food and water. Previous infection with one type of polio virus does not protect against other types of the virus. This country has reported vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in an environmental sewage sample in Perth, Western Australia. All travellers should take care with personal and food and water hygiene. All travellers should have completed a polio vaccination course according to the UK schedule or their national programme. Local public health advice should be followed if relevant to individual travel circumstances. There is no polio certificate requirement for entering or leaving this country.

Although rare, bat lyssaviruses (bat rabies) can be transmitted to humans or other animals following contact with the saliva of an infected bat most often by a bite. The disease can also be transmitted if the saliva of an infected bat gets into open wounds or mucous membranes (such as on the eye, nose or mouth). Bat lyssaviruses can cause disease in humans that is indistinguishable from rabies. Symptoms can take some time to develop, but when they do the condition is almost always fatal. The risk to most travellers is low. However, it is increased for certain occupations for example bat handlers and veterinarians, or certain activities such as caving. Rabies has not been reported in this country; therefore most travellers are considered to be at low risk. However, bats may carry bat lyssavirus (bat rabies). Travellers should avoid contact with bats. Bites from bats are frequently unrecognised. Rabies-like disease caused by bat lyssaviruses is preventable with prompt post-exposure rabies treatment. Following a possible exposure, wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and an urgent local medical assessment sought, even if the wound appears trivial. Although rabies has not been reported in other animals in this country, it is sensible to seek prompt medical advice if bitten or scratched. It is possible, although very rare for bats to pass rabies like viruses to other animals including pets. Post-exposure treatment and advice should be in accordance with national guidelines. A full course of pre-exposure vaccines simplifies and shortens the course of post-exposure treatment and removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin which is in short supply world-wide. Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations are recommended for those who are at increased risk due to their work (e.g. laboratory staff working with the virus and those working with bats). Pre exposure vaccines could be considered for those whose activities put them at increased risk of exposure to bats.