NSW Health is urging travellers to get their vaccinations and take precautions.
Health experts have warned Australians travelling overseas during the Christmas and New Year break to be aware of new health risks, including a “major syphilis outbreak” in Japan.
In a statement released on Sunday, NSW Health said those travelling to South East Asia, in particular, should be up to date with the “deadly diseases” in the region.
“Measles outbreaks are ongoing in Thailand and the Philippines, and anyone up to 52 years of age who hasn’t had two documented doses of measles vaccine, is encouraged to get vaccinated before leaving Australia,” Director of Communicable Diseases at NSW Health Dr Vicky Sheppeard said.
According to NSW Health, the measles vaccine can be obtained free from a GP. Those over 52 are assumed to have immunity through contracting measles as a child, in pre-vaccination times.
Dr Sheppeard said rabies is a risk in much of Asia, including Bali and now in Sarawak, Malaysia – an area previously declared free of rabies.
“Seek urgent medical care if bitten by an animal anywhere in Asia, and don’t feed monkeys, even at popular tourists sites, as a bite or a scratch could lead to an expensive course of vaccinations to prevent rabies,” Dr Sheppeard said.
The state’s health department also urged travellers to practice safe sex, particularly those going to Japan.
“Japan is experiencing a major syphilis outbreak, so use a condom with any casual or new sex partners overseas, and have an STI screen once you return to Australia.”
Australia has seen two cases of extensively drug-resistant gonorrhoea in 2018, which the department said was “probably from South East Asia”.
And travellers going to New Guinea were reminded of the ongoing polio outbreak.
“A full course of polio vaccine and a recent booster is essential for all age groups,” the statement said.
