Blog
Mpox and risk to Travellers
August 17th, 2024WHO has recently declared mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) as a “public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR)”. This is because the disease is increasing in the DRC and spreading to surrounding countries. We are all a bit traumatised by a declaration of a “public health emergency” […]
What is Japanese Encephalitis? Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a serious viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. The JE virus primarily affects the brain, leading to inflammation known as encephalitis. It is a member of the flavivirus family, which includes other mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile virus. JE is prevalent in rural […]
Dengue – Day biting Mosquitoes
March 12th, 2024Dengue Fever is relatively common in travellers. Some studies show 1% of travellers to the tropics are exposed to the dengue virus. It is often not diagnosed correctly or may be mistaken for something else. The only way to confirm someone has dengue fever is to have a blood test. Fever after visiting these areas […]
Flu strains 2024 South are 2/3 same and Northern hemisphere
February 16th, 2024The Southern hemisphere vaccine is 2/3 same as the northern hemisphere Difference in nth and sth flu vaccines Here is a link to the WHO influenza vaccines info for NORTHERN HEMISPHERE 23/24 https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/recommended-composition-of-influenza-virus-vaccines-for-use-in-the-2023-2024-northern-hemisphere-influenza-season Here is a link to the WHO influenza vaccines info for SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE 24 https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/recommended-composition-of-influenza-virus-vaccines-for-use-in-the-2024-southern-hemisphere-influenza-season
Rabies Vaccine – How many doses?
September 6th, 202316 Jan 2024 PRE exposure Rabies vaccination Australian Immunisation Handbook, CDC ( USA Centre for Disease Control) and WHO (World Health Organisation), all recommend two pre-exposure rabies vaccinations given at least a week apart. The vaccine can be given intradermally (ID) or intramuscularly (IM). IM is given at a slightly higher volume and deeper into […]
Cost Rabies Vaccine
August 1st, 2023My reception staff often get asked How much does rabies vaccine cost? Will I need to have rabies vaccine etc. The short answer is that it is complicated and thats why you need to see the doctor to plan if you need it and how best to have it. It’s not like having a tetanus […]
Medical kit for Yachts
August 22nd, 2022What is needed for a marine medical kit depends on several things How far from medical care the ship will be sailing? For example, if you will sail 24 hours from medical care you will need more supplies than if you are always going to be within 6 hours of care. The level of medical […]
Paxlovid and travellers
July 27th, 2022Paxlovid®= combination of Nirmatrelvir (N) and Ritonavir (R) Paxlovid is a COVID-19 medication that is a combination of two antiviral drugs. It is used for the treatment of early COVID-19 in persons who are severely immunosuppressed. The goal is to make COVID sufferers less likely to progress to severe COVID-19 which requires hospitalisation. In a […]
Monkeypox and Australian travellers
July 26th, 2022Monkeypox is a risk to only a very small cohort of travellers. Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through: direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex touching items (such as […]
Japanese Encephalitis in Brisbane
March 7th, 2022YIKES As if this year hasn’t been bad enough – with global warming, pandemic, the war in Europe, and flooding across the east coast, now Japanese Encephalitis (JE) – a monstrous disease of travellers has arrived on our doorstep. There has been much in the media like this from the Guardian or this from the […]
