Australia
A high standard of dental care is available in Australia
Medication is widely available throughout Australia
Blood supplies are considered safe and obtained from volunteer donors and is screened to international standards
Good medical care is available
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary. Prescription medicines are widely available from pharmacies or "chemists." However foreign prescriptions are not valid in Australia and will not be dispensed. Foreign health insurance programs are rarely accepted, although visitors to Australia from countries which have reciprocal government-to-government agreements regarding the provision of health care for travelers will be able to get excellent free acute care from the Australian public hospital system through Australia's national health insurance program, Medicare. Others will be expected to pay cash for treatment.
Sharks may be present in coastal waters. Pay attention to local advice and do not swim at unguarded beaches. When swimming at major beaches, always swim between the flags that are erected by Australia's volunteer lifesavers (lifeguards). Drowning of inexperienced swimmers, especially foreign visitors, has become a major problem in recent years, with nearly all drownings occurring with people swimming at unpatrolled beaches.
Corals and jellyfish may provide a hazard to sea-bathers. Especially in northern Australia during the period November thru March, deadly box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) may be encountered in the warm tropical seas. Protective suits are advised.
Crocodiles (fresh water and salt water) of up to 16 feet (5 meters) exist in the tropical rivers and coastal estuaries of much of northern Australia.
Snakes abound in many parts of Australia. However, they are generally shy of humans and will not attack unless provoked. All major hospitals carry supplies of antivenins.
Heat may cause problems in the northern, western and central parts. Especially if traveling in remote areas of Australia, be sure to have a reliable four-wheel-drive vehicle, lots of water, and ensure that someone knows where you are and when you're likely to arrive at your next destination. In the event of a mechanical breakdown, stay with your vehicle and wait in the shade for assistance.
The U.S. Transportation Department reports that the passenger cabins of aircraft destined for Australia are treated with a World Health Organization-approved residual pesticide before passengers board.
These recommendations are not absolute and should not be construed to apply to all travelers. A final decision regarding immunizations will be based on the traveler's medical history, proposed itinerary, duration of stay and purpose for traveling.
Japanese encephalitis: Consider vaccination if staying a month or more during the March-April transmission season on Badu Island in the Torres Strait or in the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula. Also consider if staying less than 30 days and at high risk (in case of epidemic outbreak or extensive outdoor exposure).
Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Travelers, in general, will not be subject to the hazards of communicable diseases to an extent greater than that found in their own country.
Insect-borne illness: Mosquito-borne epidemic polyarthritis and viral encephalitis may occur in some rural areas. After unusually heavy rains in recent years, outbreaks of Barmah Forest disease, caused by a mosquito-borne alphavirus, have occurred on the south coast of New South Wales, as well as the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Murray Valley encephalitis occurs periodically, usually in association with intercontinentally migrating birds. Other arboviruses that have been isolated from mosquitoes in New South Wales include Ross River, Edge Hill and Stratford. Dengue fever is present in parts of Northern Queensland and the Torres Strait islands, but it also occurs in and around major population centers such as Sydney. Japanese encephalitis occurs on Badu Island in the Torres Strait, and in 1998 it was isolated in a fisherman living on the mainland of Australia near the tip of Cape York Peninsula in far northern Australia. Tick-borne rickettsial spotted fevers occur in some areas on a seasonal basis.
Because of the potential for vector-borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, malaria and dengue fever to occur in the Torres Strait (between Australia and Papua New Guinea), it is preferable for travelers planning to visit these islands to contact the Queensland Health Department's Tropical Public Health Unit in Cairns on (61) (7) 4050 3600 or by fax on (61) (7) 4031 1440 for information on current disease activity.
Food-borne and water-borne illness: Amoebic meningoencephalitis has been reported. Melioidosis occurs in tropical (northern) areas. In 1998, there were major scares in many Australian cities in relation to contamination of reticulated water supplies with cryptosporidia and giardia. However in spite of high parasite levels, there was no increase in gastrointestinal symptoms or hospital admissions.
Other hazards:
Although Australia is free of rabies, a rabies-like virus (lyssa virus) has been found to infect some Indian fruit bats known locally as "flying foxes." Bites and/or scratches from sick animals have led to 2 confirmed deaths with rabies-like symptoms. Rabies vaccination is NOT recommended except for animal handlers and people actively involved in the care of sick or injured flying foxes.
High levels of immunization coverage have reduced the incidence of diseases such as measles and diphtheria.
Influenza risk extends from May to October in southern, temperate areas and throughout the year in northern, tropical areas.
AIDS: According to the Department of State, testing is required for all applicants for permanent residence over age 15. All other applicants who require medical examinations are tested if it is indicated on clinical grounds. Foreign test results are accepted under certain conditions. Contact Australia's embassy for details.
Yellow fever: Vaccination is required from travelers over 1 year of age arriving within 6 days of having stayed overnight or longer in an infected country as listed in the Weekly Epidemiological Record. (It should be noted that Australia is not bound by the International Health Regulations.)
