Travelvax

05/06/2026

VIETNAM and health declaration from 1st of July

From 1 July 2026, travellers entering or transiting through Vietnam need to complete a health declaration and may also be asked for proof of vaccinations. The exact process is still being finalized, so official Vietnamese guidance should be checked before travel.

A valid visa is required before departure, and travellers may need to show a printed copy at check-in and on arrival. For tourism or business, the official eVisa application site is eVisa, and the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate can be found here. If approved, the eVisa can allow stays of up to 90 days and may be issued for single or multiple entry.

If you are arriving through Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, need to complete the Digital Pre-Arrival Form within 72 hours of arrival. Entry requirements can change quickly, and if the form is not completed in advance, you may be asked to do it on arrival.

Read more https://www.travelvax.com.au/latest-news/vietnam-and-health-declaration-1st-july

21/05/2026

Ebola Outbreak declared Global Health Emergency in DRC and Uganda

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This designation signals a serious event that requires coordinated global attention, though it has not been classified as a pandemic.

Read more: https://www.travelvax.com.au/latest-news/ebola-outbreak-declared-global-health-emergency-drc-and-uganda

Credit: Photo by Gani Nurhakim on Unsplash

07/05/2026

Hantavirus and Cruise Travel

A recent cruise-ship outbreak has been linked to Hantavirus, with 7 reported cases in total, including 2 laboratory-confirmed infections, 5 suspected cases, and 3 deaths. The two confirmed cases were identified in people evacuated to South Africa, and another case has been reported in Switzerland; the broader risk to the public is still considered low while investigations continue.
Hantavirus is a virus carried mainly by rodents that can cause serious illness in humans. It is usually spread through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, and in some cases through bites or scratches. In the Americas, it can lead to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which affects the lungs and heart; in Europe and Asia, it can cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which affects the kidneys and blood vessels.
Read more: https://travelvax.com.au/latest-news/hantavirus-and-cruise-travel

ID 455520420 © Buelusa | Dreamstime.com

13/02/2026

Australia has seen a surge in chikungunya virus cases, with 165 infections reported in 2025, mostly among travellers returning from Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. Although the virus is not locally transmitted, mosquito species capable of spreading it exist in northern Queensland, posing future risk.

Associate Professor Cameron Webb (NSW Health Pathology) advised using Australian-approved insect repellents throughout the day, as the Aedes aegypti mosquito bites mainly during daylight hours. There is still no specific antiviral treatment, and care remains supportive. Webb emphasised that travellers should apply Australian-approved insect repellents frequently https://www.travelvax.com.au/store/anti-insect/insect-repellents.html, especially to the lower legs and feet, and carry trusted brands abroad.

The virus causes fever, rash, and debilitating joint pain, with some patients developing chronic arthritis-like symptoms.

Meanwhile, Griffith University researchers, led by Professor Bernd Rehm, are developing an adjuvant-free vaccine using E. coli-produced biopolymer particles that mimic the virus surface. Early studies show strong immune responses, and clinical trials are planned.

Reference: Sheppeard, A. (2026, Feb 11). Chikungunya cases rise as vaccine nears. The Medical Republic. Read more: https://www.medicalrepublic.com.au/chikungunya-cases-rise-as-vaccine-nears/123171

30/01/2026

What is Nipah virus?

The Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic pathogen primarily carried by fruit bats (Pteropus species). It was first identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998, which also affected pigs and humans. The virus can cause severe respiratory illness and encephalitis (brain inflammation) in humans, with a case fatality rate ranging from 40–75% depending on outbreak circumstances.
Outbreaks typically occur in South and Southeast Asia, especially Bangladesh and India, often linked to bat-contaminated food sources (like raw date palm sap) or close contact with infected animals or people. Read more: https://www.travelvax.com.au/latest-news/what-nipah-virus

Image CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/nipah-virus/about/index.html
Fruit bats (yellow) are even found where Nipah outbreaks (red) haven't occurred.

03/07/2025

Fiji is currently experiencing a significant dengue fever outbreak with 8,708 cases reported nationwide as of May 21, 2025, predominantly in the Western Division, and four confirmed deaths, prompting a red alert for residents and travellers. Lee Ann Tulloch’s article "I should be in Fiji this week, but I’m too afraid to go" reflects on the tension between the desire to visit Fiji and the fear or hesitation that currently holds her back. Read more: https://www.theage.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/i-should-be-in-fiji-this-week-but-i-m-too-afraid-to-go-20250613-p5m79b.html

Meanwhile, Tonga has reported 845 cases and three deaths since February, mainly affecting young people, with Dengue Virus Type 2 circulating. The Cook Islands declared a dengue outbreak in late May 2025, with 17 confirmed cases in Rarotonga’s Tupapa area, involving both DENV-1 and DENV-2 serotypes and confirmed local transmission.

Read more on Dengue fever prevention https://www.travelvax.com.au/holiday-traveller/other-diseases/dengue-fever

03/07/2025

A man in his 50s from northern NSW is in critical condition after contracting Australian bat lyssavirus, a deadly virus similar to rabies, following a bat bite. This is the first recorded human case in NSW and only the fourth in Australia, with all previous cases fatal. Health authorities warn the public not to handle bats and to assume all bats could carry the virus.

Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, apply an antiviral antiseptic, and seek urgent medical attention. There is no effective treatment once symptoms appear, so rapid post-exposure care is essential.

Travellers to overseas destinations where rabies is endemic should consider getting vaccinated against rabies. The costs associated with treatment overseas can be considerably higher than having 2 doses of vaccine before travel.

Read more: https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/man-critical-condition-with-a-lifethreatening-illness-after-he-was-bitten-by-a-bat-in-nsw/news-story/e32f406cf202698899be72cc8f04c142

15/03/2025

Measles Alert in Victoria and NSW: New Cases Linked to Travel from Bali and Other Asian Destinations

Health authorities have issued a warning as new measles cases emerge in Victoria and NSW, traced to recent travel from Bali and other parts of Asia.

Read more https://7news.com.au/news/measles-warning-in-victoria-and-nsw-as-new-cases-linked-to-travel-from-bali-and-other-asian-destinations-c-18048651 #

Nightclubs, shopping centres and hospitals are among the latest exposure sites. Here’s what you need to know.

28/02/2025

NSW Health is urging vigilance against mosquitoes after the state recorded its first Japanese encephalitis (JE) death since May 2022. A man in his 70s from northern Sydney died on February 23 after contracting the virus likely during a trip to the Murrumbidgee region in January. This is the third JE-related death in NSW since 2022. NSW Health also reported a new case in a woman in her 60s from northern NSW, likely contracted on her Tenterfield Shire property. She is currently receiving hospital care.

A mosquito-borne virus, JE is usually found in many part of Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and China, although cases also occur in Indonesia, PNG and since 2022 in Australia. It is mainly found in rural areas around rice paddies where pigs, wading birds and humans live closely together, however it does also occur in or near cities. The risk to short-stay travellers who confine their travel to urban centres and use appropriate mosquito bite avoidance measures is low. The recommendations for vaccination are itinerary-specific. JEV has now also been detected in humans, animals and mosquitos in mainland Australia, for local JEV information and state by state vaccine eligibility: https://www.health.gov.au/diseases/japanese-encephalitis

Read more on JE: https://www.travelvax.com.au/holiday-traveller/vaccinations/japanese-encephalitis

09/10/2024

🌍✈️ Exciting travel news! If you're planning your next adventure, don’t miss out on the latest insights and updates from the Travelvax newsletter. It’s packed with essential info on travel health, vaccination recommendations, and destination safety tips. Stay informed and travel smart! Subscribe today to make the most of your travels! 🧳✨

Read more: https://www.travelvax.com.au/travel-health-alerts/world-travel-health-alerts-october-2024-week-2

The Mozambican Health authorities have detected outbreaks of measles in four districts, warning that the outbreaks have been worsening over the last two months. Almost 350 cases have been reported with 68 hospitalisations.