Benin joins Nigeria (Kogi State), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Haut Lomami) and Angola (Lunda Norte) in reporting circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) cases this week after announcing its first cVDPV2 case, detected in Kalalé district in the NE department of Borgou, which shares borders with Nigeria. Benin’s polio vaccine coverage last year was estimated to be 60 percent. Pakistan also recorded five more wild poliovirus type 1 cases (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) taking its YTD total to 53. 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.