A month after the detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 in environmental samples at two sites of the capital Monrovia, the Liberian government has advised that it has ‘spread throughout the country’ and declared a National Public Health Emergency. The pronouncement was made to allow for decisive measures as ‘swift intervention is needed to curtail its further spread’. The WHO warns that Liberia risks the the importation of COVID-19 and VDPV from refugees fleeing the continuing insecurity in Côte d’Ivoire. In other parts of the globe, the GPEI advised that Afghanistan’s first WPV1 case in 2021 was reported in Ghazni and there were also 14 more cVDPV2 cases from eight provinces. Pakistan recorded another eight cVDPV2 cases (Sindh and Balochistan provinces), while two African countries registered cVDPV2 cases – a single case each in Benin (Oueme) and Nigeria (Bayelsa state). Read more
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.