Local media have announced a wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case in a two year-old child from Karachi, and positive WPV1 environmental virus samples have recently been collected from sewage in the city as well as in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Chaman. In other news on polio from the GPEI weekly update, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases were logged by the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Yemen, while the DR of Congo recorded both cVDPV1 and cVDPV2 cases. 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.