On July 06, the U.S. government issued an alert for travelers regarding the polio outbreak in some countries in Asia and Eastern Europe,
urged travelers to practice enhanced precautions (Alert Level 2).
Polio, also known as Poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious disease caused by poliovirus (PV). It is a vaccine preventable disease. Polio Vaccines. Read more!
The following destinations in Asia and Eastern Europe are currently considered high risk for polio:
• Afghanistan
• Israel
• Occupied Palestinian Territories
• Pakistan
• Ukraine
• Yemen
Photo by Eva Darron on Unsplash
Before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series.
What can travelers do to prevent polio?
Get the polio vaccine. Adult travelers that:
1- previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series,
2- have not yet received an adult booster dose, and
3- are going to any of the destinations listed above, should receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.
Even those who have been sick with polio previously may need a booster dose of polio vaccine.
Travel Vaccination Certificate
To help prevent the international spread of polio, the World Health Organization recommends that the destinations listed above require residents and long-term (4 weeks or more) visitors show proof of polio vaccination before leaving the country. Travel Vaccination Certificates. Read more!
Credit: cdc.gov