Quarantine and Travel Health information

The objective of human quarantine activities is to prevent the introduction into Australia of potentially fatal communicable human diseases. Those diseases which are currently subject to quarantine controls are cholera, plague, rabies, yellow fever and viral haemorrhagic fevers.

In this section:

Taking care of your health overseas

An overseas holiday can be an incredible opportunity to experience other cultures and to see some amazing sights. However, you will still need to take care of your own, and your family’s health. If you contract an illness overseas, it could ruin your holiday.

Compared to many other nations, Australia enjoys very good health. Our water is safe to drink. Our food is safe to eat. Serious infectious diseases are rare and we have a vaccination program that ensures that preventable diseases can generally be avoided. This is not necessarily the case in nations you may visit on holiday; and these might not be the nations you’d expect.

The illnesses you could contract overseas are not limited to simple cases of gastroenteritis. Some are extremely dangerous, even life-threatening.

Malaria could stay with you forever, re-emerging if you get run-down or stressed. Dengue fever is so painful that it’s known as “break-bone fever” (it feels like all of your bones are being broken). Yellow fever kills about 1 in 10 people who get it. Tuberculosis could spread to your family and friends and is very difficult and slow to treat. Even some other developed nations have low vaccination rates for disease like measles, mumps and rubella, so you could be exposed if you are not vaccinated.

However, you shouldn’t deny yourself the opportunity to travel overseas because you might get sick. You can take some simple steps that will substantially reduce the chance of catching a holiday-ruining (or even life threatening) disease.

Go to www.smartraveller.gov.au and other helpful websites
- See a doctor
- Find out about your personal health needs
- Explain your travel plans
- Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date
Find out what you can do to prevent getting sick
Get insured - you can’t afford to travel if you can’t afford insurance

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Before you travel

1. Seek information

There is a wealth of useful information available on the internet. The Department of Health and Ageing website is a useful resource, but you should check other sources.

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website has useful information on many countries. Many nations have Health Department websites you can check out for relevant information on what diseases could be circulating there. There is also a list of links at the bottom of this page that can provide more information.

2. See a doctor

It is very important that you get advice on your health before you travel. A doctor will be able to tell you if you need any special vaccinations (for diseases like yellow fever) before you travel overseas. They can also tell you if you need to take any special medication while you’re overseas to prevent you from catching diseases like malaria. As some medications are not suitable for some people, your GP or a travel doctor will be able to advise you on the best options for you given your particular health situation.

If you wish to get in contact with a specialised travel doctor, the following state and territory communicable disease units will be able to help find one close to you.

Australian Capital Territory
Communicable Disease Control Unit
(02) 6205 0860

New South Wales
Immunisation Unit
(02) 9391 9000

Northern Territory
Centre for Disease Control
(08) 8922 8044

Queensland
Communicable Diseases Unit
(07) 3234 1062

South Australia
Communicable Diseases Control Branch
(08) 8226 7177

Tasmania
Commonwealth Care Link
1800 052 222

Victoria
Disease Control and Research Section
1300 882 008

Western Australia
Communicable Disease Control
(08) 9388 4863
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It is a good idea to check that your normally scheduled vaccinations, like measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis and polio are up to date. Your doctor will be able to provide information on vaccinations and if you need any boosters. Be aware that some vaccines cannot be taken within a month of other vaccines. It is a good idea to plan your vaccinations as far in advance as possible.

Thanks to strong vaccination programs, diseases like measles, mumps and rubella have been largely eradicated in Australia. Some other countries lack this level of vaccination coverage. This includes some wealthy, developed nations, so it is advisable to always check your vaccination status before travelling.

3. It pays to be protected

While you are in Australia, some of your healthcare costs are covered by Medicare. In the event of serious illness or accident, Medicare can help to cover the costs involved in treatment. However, while you’re overseas, you will probably be reliant on the local health system. If you get sick, or are involved in an accident overseas, you could have to pay medical costs of many thousands of dollars. If you need intensive care, or to be evacuated to Australia, these costs could run to many tens of thousands of dollars.

The Department of Health and Ageing strongly recommends travel insurance.
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While you’re travelling

4. Protect yourself from insects

Mosquito-borne disease can be extremely dangerous. Not all of them can be vaccinated against and some are becoming resistant to medication.

If you are travelling to South America or Africa, you could be exposed to yellow fever. Yellow fever is preventable by a safe and effective vaccine, which you can get from designated medical practices (the state and territory contact points listed above can help you to find a practice close to you). Some countries require you to have the vaccine as a condition of entry. You should talk with your doctor about how appropriate the vaccine is for you before travelling.

Australia requires that all people entering the country who have been in a yellow fever endemic country in the past six days carry a vaccination certificate. You should also be aware that if you are vaccinated against other diseases, it may be some time before you can be vaccinated against yellow fever. Plan your vaccinations as early as possible to avoid any problems.

Dengue fever is found in many of Australia’s favourite tropical holiday destinations. There are no vaccines or protective medicines you can take to protect yourself from dengue fever.

Malaria is found in some tropical holiday destinations. There are medications that can help protect you, but some strains of malaria are becoming resistant to them. Talk to your doctor about what would be the best medication for you.

The most reliable ways to make sure you don’t catch a mosquito-borne disease is to avoid being bitten by a mosquito in the first place. There are five effective ways of doing this:

Wear a mosquito repellent containing DEET or Picaridin

Try to stay indoors during the peak times for mosquito activity (dawn and dusk)

Wear light coloured, long-sleeved clothes when you’re outdoors

Avoid wearing perfume or cologne (some of these can attract mosquitos)

Don’t let mosquitoes into your accommodation

Use a mosquito net at night-time (if mosquitoes are likely to be present)

Mosquito-borne diseases don’t occur in all countries, but it is advisable to talk to your doctor about what vaccinations or medication you might need to take.

5. Not all of the locals are friendly

Rabies is an almost invariably fatal disease that can infect all warm-blooded animals. It is most commonly transmitted though bites by infected animals. Rabies has never established in Australia thanks to a vigilant and effective quarantine system. However, some other countries’ animal populations carry rabies.

Be very careful around animals, especially dogs, in all nations outside Australia and New Zealand, as these can carry rabies. If you are bitten by an animal, you should consult a medical practitioner as soon as possible.
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6. Remember to carry your medication

If your travel doctor or GP gives you medication to take while you’re overseas, it is important that you take the medication exactly how the doctor told you to. This could mean you have to start taking the medication before you leave, or continue taking it when you return.

If you are unsure of how and when to take any medication; or you forget; ask your doctor or a pharmacist for advice.

7. Think before you drink (or eat)

You shouldn’t deny yourself the pleasure of trying new foods – but be aware that foodborne illness is a major cause of illness overseas. Many cases of foodborne illness are easily avoided or prevented.

Be aware that the sources of foodborne illness are not necessarily the obvious ones. A glass of soft drink might seem safe – but the ice in the glass could be made with contaminated water. Likewise, salad leaves could be washed in contaminated water.

A good rule of thumb is “if it’s not fully and freshly cooked, take care!”

Talk to your travel doctor about medication that could help if you do contract a foodborne illness
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When you return

8. Continue to monitor your health

The measures suggested above will assist in preventing you from catching an illness overseas. However, no matter how careful you are, you could still be unlucky and get sick.

All diseases have an incubation period where you carry the illness, but are not yet displaying symptoms of the illness. If you contract a disease towards the end of your holiday, it could mean that you could carry the illness back into Australia with you. You could then pass it on to your friends, family or co-workers.

For this reason, for the two weeks after you get back from a holiday overseas, you should pay close attention to your health.

If you get any of the following symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Fever

Unexplained skin rashes or lesions

Persistent vomiting

Persistent diarrhoea

Bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, mouth or anus (unless you get nosebleeds or haemorrhoids)

Swollen glands in your armpits or neck

Persistent coughing or difficulty breathing

This list is not exclusive. If you are feeling unwell after a holiday you should see your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor that you’ve been overseas and where you went. Many illnesses (especially the most serious illnesses) can be treated most effectively in the early stages of the disease’s progression. The earlier your doctor detects the illness, the better.

It’s probably nothing – but maybe it’s something.

Further information

There are some things that shouldn’t travel. Some things that are legal in Australia might not be legal in other countries. Some things that are legal in other countries might not be legal in Australia. The Australian Customs Service website will give you up-to-date information on what you can and can’t take into or out of Australia.

Australia is a nation with an incredible and unique environment. Australia’s economy also relies heavily on agriculture. Don’t put them in jeopardy. Visit the
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service website for more information. You could also visit their Travelbug website.

For everything you need to know about passports, visas and other travel documentation check out the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

Finally, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website can be a great source of information on your destination country, including some specific travel advisories.

Have a great trip.