Australia is one of the safest countries in the world to travel around. You are unlikely to pick up a travel related disease while travelling here but that is not the case for many other regions in the world. High risk areas include many parts of Asia, Africa, and South America. As usual, prevention is generally better than the cure so we recommend discussing your travel plans with your doctor well in advance of your departure date. Your doctor can suggest preventative measures such as getting travel vaccinations, avoiding mosquitos, and reducing the risk of drinking contaminated water. Diseases which you can be vaccinated against include:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Cholera
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Rabies
• Typhoid Fever
• Yellow Fever

Hepatitis A can easily be spread through personal contact, eating contaminated raw seafood or drinking contaminated water, so you may consider getting vaccinated against it no matter where you are headed.

Japanese encephalitis may be a risk for travellers to:

• Bali
• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• China
• India
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Thailand
• Timor
• Torres Strait islands
• Vietnam

Vaccination against cholera is recommended for emergency relief and health care workers travelling to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa.

Travellers heading to developing countries in Asia (especially India), Africa (north and west), and Central and South America (especially Peru) may wish to get vaccinated for Typhoid Fever.

Vaccination against Yellow Fever may be necessary for travellers to certain regions in Africa, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Other diseases to be aware of when travelling are:

• Dengue Fever
• Malaria
• Meningococcal Meningitis
• Other strains of hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS

If you require a vaccine or would like further information, contact us for an appointment. We are registered with Travel Clinics Australia to provide travel vaccinations and can help you with all your vaccination needs.

East Perth Medical Centre is proud to announce that Dr Galvin has joined our practice.

Dr G M (Mike) Galvin BSc MB BS DTM&H FACEM

Dr Mike Galvin graduated from the University of WA with degrees in Science and Medicine. Following a residency in Perth he served in Australian Defence Forces as a Medical Officer. During his time with the ADF he served in most Australian states, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, United Kingdom and USA.

While in the USA he underwent advanced training in aerospace medicine and later attended the University of Liverpool where he obtained the Diploma of Tropical Medicine.

On leaving the permanent military forces he joined Fremantle Hospital as a Consultant in Emergency Medicine and remained there for 10 years. Since then he has worked in East Timor and in the maritime industry based out of Singapore.

Dr Galvin is also actively involved in the international movement of patients and has travelled to a great many countries as diverse as Latvia, Bangladesh and the Philippines as well as providing a regular service from Indonesia.

Dr Galvin has a continuing interest in all aspects of infectious disease; tropical medicine and the aeromedical transfer of patients.

Travel Clinics Australia have just released their latest newsletter - Winter 2008.

Traveller’s Pocket Medical Guide

Travel Clinics Australia is about to release the 7th edition of the popular Traveller’s Pocket Medical Guide. This handy booklet, which includes an internationally recognised vaccination record, has helped thousands of travellers protect their health over the last decade. Each new edition is thoroughly reviewed and updated to include new vaccines, medications and travel health advice. Succinct information on common travel health issues such as gastro (traveller’s diarrhoea) and malaria prevention and management are packed into this travel resource.

Jet lag, travelling with children and other special risk groups, medication guides, first aid and a comparison of disease and vaccines are some of the topics covered in the passport sized booklet.

Every new traveller is given a free copy of the pocket guide with their first travel consultation. The booklet is popular with GPs all over Australia. Many companies also use it as an OH&S resource for staff. Pocket Guides can be purchased at clinics.

Looking After Your Ears

It is well known that sucking lollies, yawning and swallowing help equalize air pressure or ‘unblock ears’ when a plane descends. Yet, sometimes these measures are not enough to prevent distressing ear pain or barotitis, particularly in the young traveller.

It is estimated that up to 25% of children and 5% of adults will develop barotitis while flying, with many at risk of developing injury (temporary and permanent) to their ears. In addition to discussing other options, your Travel Clinic doctor may recommend a product called ‘Earplanes’ to help avoid barotitis.

Earplanes® are a special silicone and ceramic ear plug that helps regulate changes in airline cabin pressure. They are suited to people with a history of ear problems such as blocked eustachian tubes, which are more prevalent with winter colds, as well as for those with allergies and sinus infections. Earplanes® come in adult and children’s sizes and retail for around $22 a pair. They can be purchased from TCA clinics and through our website.

Travel Clinics Australia recommends all travellers with ear problems or a history of ear problems see one of our doctors prior to flying.

Bushwalking and Camping

Typhus is a disease caused by fleas, lice, mites or ticks. There are different types of typhus, found overseas and in Australia. Epidemic typhus, spread by body lice, was responsible for killing thousands of people during the world wars. It is mainly found in parts of Africa, South America and Europe.

Tick typhus, spread by ticks, is associated with dogs, cattle and wild animals. It is found in Mediterranean countries and Africa. Scrub typhus, spread by mites, occurs in Southeast Asia and PNG, and rarely, in some parts of northern Australia. Typhus causing insects usually attach to passing humans and transmit an infection by a bite. Travelling campers, bushwalkers and those staying in the affected areas are most at risk. Symptoms include fever, rigors (uncontrollable shaking), headache and a rash. Some people require hospitalisation. Fortunately, typhus is easily treated by antibiotics.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Shortage

Due to a world wide shortage of the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, many Australian travellers are unable to access the injection prior to going overseas. Japanese Encephalitis, a relatively rare disease spread by mosquitoes, is seen in only a few parts of Asia and Papua New Guinea.

We recommend you speak to your Travel Clinic doctor prior to travelling to a country endemic with Japanese Encephalitis.

If you are planning on travelling overseas, we strongly suggest you make an appointment with your doctor to discuss which travel vaccinations may be required for your trip.

Pre-Travel Assessment Form

To help your doctor assess your needs and your medical situation, we suggest you download and complete the Pre-Travel Assessment Form before your appointment and hand it to the medial receptionist on your arrival.

Download the form (Word document).

Please contact us if you have and questions on how to complete the form.

Dengue fever is the most common mosquito spread disease with around 100 million cases occurring annually. It is found in most tropical and subtropical regions and is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no evidence of person to person transmission and the disease is rarely fatal. Travellers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites when travelling to high risk areas. See your doctor immediately if you present the typical symptoms of dengue fever.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever

Typical symptoms of dengue fever include:

• fever
• headache
• sore muscles
• nausea
• vomiting
• rash

Treatment for Dengue Fever

The main treatment for dengue fever is to encourage the intake of food and especially fluids. This may be supplemented with intravenous fluids if necessary.

Dengue Fever Vaccine

There is no clinically proven vaccine available for the prevention of dengue fever. It is therefore important that travellers to high risk areas take precautions to prevent infection.

Prevention of Dengue Fever

As there is no vaccine available to prevent dengue fever, people in high risk areas are advised to protect themselves against infection by avoiding mosquito bites. Mosquitos carrying dengue fever typically bite during the day, especially at dawn and dusk. Avoid getting bitten by wearing clothing which protects the skin and by using insect repellents on exposed skin. It is also recommended to remove all potential breeding sites for mosquitos such as still water found in containers, pots, and old tyres.

High Risk Destinations

Dengue fever can be found in any tropical or subtropical area and is most prevalent during the warm and humid seasons. Mosquitos infected with the dengue fever virus can be found in both rural and urban areas including major cities. The highest risk is for travellers visiting South East Asia and Central and South America. In Australia, the risk is mainly confined to northern Queensland including Cairns and Townsville as well as the Torres Strait Islands.