Australia

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Ross River and Barmah Forest virus are both very present in Australia (over 5,000 cases per year). These two diseases are transmitted by mosquito bites and cause arthritis-like symptoms.
• The Kunjin virus is also present in the north and north-west of the country, including Darwin; transmitted by mosquito bites, it causes headaches and fever.
• Dengue outbreaks may occur, as in 2003 and 2004 in Cairns, Townsville and Torres Islands.
• There are cases of Murray Valley encephalitis in northern and western Australia; the risk is higher in humid areas (swamps, river shores...).
• There are also cases of melioidosis, an infection consecutive to a contact with contaminated water or mud. The risk is higher during the rain season, in the north of Queensland and in Top End. Symptoms are similar to those of a flu.
• Protect yourself carefully from sun and heat to avoid burns and sunstrokes.

FOOD SAFETY

• No specific risk.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies : recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Tick-borne encephalitis: for stays in rural areas or northern Australia or for hikers. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Sydney
• Sydney Adventist Hospital, 185 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga: phone + 61 2 948 79111, fax + 61 2 9906 5202
• Sydney Clinic, 22-24 Murray Street, Bronte: phone + 61 2 9389 8888, fax + 61 2 9389 5699
• Sydney Southwest Private Hospital, 40 Bigge Street, Liverpool: phone + 61 2 9821 0333, fax + 61 2 9601 7556



Melbourne
• Albert Road Clinic, 31 Albert Road, South Melbourne: phone + 61 3 9256 8311, fax + 61 3 9256 8330
• Melbourne Clinic, 130 Church Street, Richmond: phone + 61 3 9429 4688, fax + 61 3 9427 7558
• Melbourne Private Hospital, Royal Parade, Parkville: phone + 61 3 9342 4800, fax + 61 3 9342 4820



Brisbane
• St. Andrew's War Memorial Hospital, 457 Wickham Terrace: phone + 61 7 3834 4444, fax + 61 7 3832 6006



Perth
• Mount Private Hospital, 150 Mounts Bay Road: phone + 61 8 9481 1822, fax + 61 8 9321 2208



Adelaide
• Adelaide Clinic, 33 Park Terrace, Gilberton: phone + 61 8 8269 8100, fax + 61 8 8269 7307
• Memorial Hospital, Sir Edwin Smith Avenue, North Adelaide: phone + 61 8 8366 3800, fax + 61 8 8239 0571
• Parkwynd Private Hospital, 137 East Terrace: phone + 61 8 8223 3294, fax + 61 8 8224 0082



Darwin
• Darwin Private Hospital, Rocklands Drive, Tiwi: phone + 61 8 8920 6011



Hobart
• Hobart Private Hospital, Argyle Street: phone + 61 3 6214 3000, fax + 61 3 6214 3001
• St. Helen's Private Hospital, 186 Macquarie Street: phone + 61 3 6221 6444, fax + 61 3 6223 4594

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Police (24/7 assistance): 000
• Federal police (24/7): 11 444

CLIMATE

• Australia is a large country with distinct climactic zones.
• Along the east coast, the climate is warm temperate, with hot summers and mild winters. Rain falls throughout the year.
• In the south, temperatures are lower in the winter, although they never freeze in Melbourne.
• In the north and northeast, the climate is tropical with hot and humid summers and warm winters. Rainfalls occur mainly in the summer.
• The interior and large parts of the west coast have a semi-desert climate.
• In the southeast (Perth, Adelaide), the climate is mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and warm and dry summers.
• When to go: from December to March in the south, from May to September in the north.