Is money dirty?

A trans-Tasman research team found that levels of common bacteria on the currency traded through food outlets in Australia and New Zealand are not nearly as high as previously thought. Dr Frank Vriesekoop, lead investigator and lecturer at the University of Ballarat, thinks the potential to spread disease is still there, but "I don't think it's all as bad as it's made out". It appeared from the study that coins did not show up as many bacteria as notes, possibly because some organisms cannot survive on metal. Of some concern, however, was antibiotic-resistant bacteria which cause diarrhoea and food poisoning; thought to be caused by poor hygiene. (Source: www.abc.net.au/science/news/ health/ HealthRepublish_1684553.htm)


Last year 817 Australians were diagnosed with malaria

- all cases were contracted overseas (it is endemic in 100 countries worldwide). This signals a strong message to recommend pre-travel health advice to your clients. For further info contact the Travelvax Infoline on 1300 360 164.

Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, "dengue is the most important mosquito-borne viral disease affecting humans; its global distribution is comparable to that of malaria, and an estimated 2.5 billion people live in areas at risk for epidemic transmission."


Dengue in QLD

In 2005 over 200 Australians – 114 of them in QLD - were treated for dengue (or break bone fever as it is also known). The infection is transmitted by the aedes mosquito and occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas. These mosquitoes bite during the day and can be found in urban, rural and coastal settings. The symptoms of dengue include high fever, headaches, joint, muscle pain and possibly a rash. Infection usually lasts about ten days with a recovery period of up to a month.

There are 4 dengue serotypes and an infection caused by one type will offer immunity to it for life. Unfortunately people who have had a previous dengue infection are more likely to develop dengue haemorrhagic fever if they are infected by one of the other 3 forms of the virus.


Pacific AIDS alert

Fiji, the South Pacific's largest nation, had 205 reported HIV cases in February this year alone, according to the Ministry of Health; but that is only an estimated one-third of actual cases. An article recently published in the Sydney Morning Herald (www.smh.com.au - 12.07.2006) found that research shows chlamydia rates to be as high as 29% and unsafe sex among the young a huge potential problem in six pacific countries, including Papua New Guinea. Also Syphilis infections picked up while travelling are becoming a major problem.


Hep A leads to product recall in Queensland

Many people only think of vaccinations for overseas travel, but as a recent case in Queensland shows, vaccines are important even if you don't leave Australia.

A Queensland producer of 17 ready-to-eat products, including sliced turkey, chicken and ham, issued a recall of its products, when they realised that one of their packing staff had contracted Hepatitis A. (Source: www.abc.net.au/ news/newsitems/ 200607/ s1689963)

Hepatitis A is a virus acquired directly from infected persons by close contact, consumption of contaminated food or drinking water or by the faecal-oral route. Non-immune people (ie who have never had the vaccine or the disease) are at risk where there are poor hygiene and sanitation conditions. Symptoms include abrupt onset of fever, malaise, nausea, abdominal discomfort and recovery can take weeks or months. Don't ignore symptoms. Seek medical advice.

For more Travel Health info, go to www.travelvax.com.au