What is polio?

Polio, also known as Poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious disease caused by poliovirus (PV). The infection typically spreads in areas with poor water and sewage sanitation; wild poliovirus is found in this type of environment and puts unvaccinated people at risk.

Many travel illnesses can be prevented with vaccinations and a little caution.

The following vaccines are the common immunizations recommended for adult travelers.

What is rabies?
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus which only affects mammals. You can get rabies if you are bitten or scratched by an animal with rabies.

The meningitis belt is a region in sub-Saharan Africa where the rate of incidence of  meningococcal meningitis is very high.
It consists of part of or all of (from West to East), the Gambia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea.

WHAT IS MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS?
Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially devastating infection in travelers caused by one of the meningitides bacteria; it is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense headache, vomiting and neck stiffness. A skin rash appears in the later stages of the disease and signifies severe illness.

What Is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a virus affecting the liver. It usually spreads through contaminated food or water. Unlike other forms of hepatitis, A cannot become a chronic infection.
Symptoms often appear two to six weeks after exposure. This means a traveler can visit a country and return not knowing they’re infected.

What Is Yellow Fever?
Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease present in Africa and South America. The infection can range from mild to severe. Vaccination is the best protection against this virus.

What Is Typhoid Fever?
Typhoid fever, or typhoid, spreads through contaminated food or water. Caused by Salmonella typhi, typhoid fever is an acute illness infecting about 21.5 million people worldwide.

What Is Cholera?

Cholera is a bacterial infection found in food or water sources contaminated with feces (poop). Over 600 million people throughout the globe are at risk of contracting cholera. Between 3 and 5 million cases are reported each year accounting for over 100,000 deaths. Cholera cases are often under reported.

If you're planning to travel outside the country, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

Vaccinations are not just for children. Adults need to keep their vaccinations up to date because immunity from childhood vaccines can wear off over time.