The country’s 17th polio case was announced last week by the Dept. of Health – a 1-year old boy from Cabanatuan City, 110 kms north of Metro Manila. He was diagnosed with cVDPV2 infection after undergoing testing during routine acute flaccid paralysis surveillance. In the region of Central Visayas, authorities in Mandaue City have prohibited residents from using the local waterways after the detection of poliovirus in some samples. The Butuanon, Mahiga, and Tipolo Rivers all run through the city that sits to the north of Cebu City and is considered part of Metro Cebu. Read more. In other polio news, Pakistan has now recorded 12 WPV1 cases this year with the addition of a further five (three from Sindh province and two from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) listed in this week’s GPEI report. While in the African region, cVDPV2 cases were reported in Angola (one each from Bié, Huambo and Namibe provinces), Nigeria (one from Anambra province), DRC (two from Kwilu and Sankuru provinces) and seven cases in Ethiopia (Oromiya province and the SNNPR).
Advice for travellers
Poliomyelitis is a potentially serious viral illness that is spread through contact with infected faeces or saliva. The risk to travellers is generally low, however vaccination is recommended for travel to affected regions and is a requirement for travel to/from some countries. If at risk, adults should have a booster to the childhood series. More on polio.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.