Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in this country, but it is not a major risk to most travellers. The vaccine is only recommended for these groups:

• Travellers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put them at risk for animal bites (such as adventure travel and caving).
• People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers).
• People who are taking long trips or moving to remote areas

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip, such as:

• measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
• diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine
• varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
• influenza vaccine

Dengue

Dengue fever is an infection transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. There is no vaccine to prevent infection, so you should protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times in dengue areas.

Ciguatera fish poisoning

Ciguatera is a poisoning resulting from eating certain fish in particular regions in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean. Mackerel caught around mid-October in Australia are a classic cause of this condition.

Hookworm (Cutanea Larva Migrans)

Hookworm is a parasite that can infect humans in countries with poor sanitation and a warm, moist climate. Hookworm larvae penetrate through intact skin (such as walking with bare feet), and can go on to cause severe gastrointestinal and skin infections.

You should avoid walking barefoot in areas where there may be contaminated soil. In addition, don’t touch soil or sand with your bare hands.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium found in the urine of infected animals. Humans can catch the infection via skin cuts or abrasions which have been contaminated with urine from infected animals. Outbreaks are often associated with contaminated flood water, soil or mud.

You can prevent leptospirosis by:

• Covering cuts and abrasions with a waterproof dressing
• Avoiding swimming or wading in water where there is a possibility of contamination with animal urine
• Wear footwear outdoors, especially when walking in mud or moist soil.
• Control rodents by cleaning up rubbish and food sources that are close to housing.

Travellers diarrhoea

Traveller’s diarrhoea affects roughly 20-50% of overseas travellers. It is caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. The bacteria that trigger the illness may appear harmless to the local population, usually because they have developed immunity to them. Symptoms include abdominal bloating, cramps, nausea, fevers and diarrhoea.

Tips to prevent traveller’s diarrhoea:

• Avoid contaminated foods such as raw or peeled vegetables, undercooked meats, unpasteurised dairy products and food from street vendors.
• Avoid drinking or brushing your teeth with tap water
• Buy bottled water to drink
• Boil tap water for at least 5 minutes before drinking it
• Avoid drinks that contain ice
• Avoid using tap water to wash your fruit and vegetables
• Wash your hands and eat at reputable restaurants.

Zika

Zika virus is a mild febrile illness, spread via the bite of an infected mosquito or by having sex with an infected person. Studies have shown that Zika virus infection in a pregnant woman can be transmitted to the baby, causing congenital problems such as microcephaly.

The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Pregnant women should consider deferring travel to high risk countries