A Disease Outbreak News post this week covered the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV) cases confirmed in Aceh province and West Java since November last year. Another six positive VDPV2 samples have been identified from 30 healthy children in West Java during field investigations, confirming ‘that the virus was already circulating’. The first of two rounds of novel OPV2 immunisation for children aged under five years in all districts of West Java has been completed and the next will take place late in May. The WHO assessed the risk at a national level as high. In other news of polio as reported by the GPEI last week, cVDPV2 cases were logged by Benin (single infection in Atlantique department) and the D R of Congo (six in total from Kasai Oriental, Haut Katanga and Tshopo provinces), plus one more cVDPV1 case (Haut Katanga). Read more
Advice for travellers
Polio 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 poliomyelitis.
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.