The following are some of the diseases that are found in Australia plus information on the probability if contracting them during your travel.
Bat lyssavirus: This is a rabies related disease which can cause death. The people most susceptible to it are the vets as well as animal handlers. Although the vaccine against rabies is very effective, the risk posed to travelers is quite low.
Dengue fever: It is prevalent from October to March when it is usually wet in the northern Queens land. The other name for this disease is ‘break bone fever’. This is a viral disease spread by a type of mosquito that feeds during the day. It is characterized by severe pains in the muscles and most people recover very quickly in just a few days. There is a severe form of dengue fever though especially to those who are exposed to a different viral strain during a different season.
Giardiasis: This is a water borne disease common in the waterways. It is contracted by drinking of untreated water. It is always advisable to filter water or use iodine to treat water. The symptoms include a bloated stomach, smelly diarrhea and wind. Giardiasis can be effectively treated.
Hepatitis C: This disease mainly affects drug users who share needles to inject themselves. Blood transfusion does not offer any threat as the blood is screened fully before it is transfused to anyone.
HIV: The rates of the human immunodeficiency virus are stable and are equally to those in other countries in the west.
Malaria: The risk of travelers contracting Malaria is very minimal. There are a few isolated cases that have occurred in northern Queensland.
Meningococcal disease: This is a worldwide disease and becomes a risk especially to those living in a dormitory like accommodation. For some kinds of these diseases such as the A, C, W, and Y, there is a vaccine. However no vaccine exists for viral meningitis.
