Three new wild poliovirus type 1 cases have been detected in Tete province, however only two of the isolates are linked with the index case that was confirmed in March. The third, taken from a resident of Magoé district bordering Zimbabwe, has similarities with the strain that emerged in Lilongwe, Malawi late last year. The GPEI noted that ‘there are clearly at least two transmission chains that are co-evolved after introduction of the virus in Tete province in Mozambique. While it is difficult to speculate, distribution of WPV1 and their genetic linkage suggests that missed transmission in bordering areas around Mozambique-Zimbabwe-Zambia cannot be ruled out’. In another development, two new linked cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) were reported from Mozambique’s Nampula and Zambezia provinces. Madagascar also logged cVDPV1 cases (three in total from Sud-Ouest and Menabe), while Chad (Chari Baguirmi) and the D R of Congo (Nord Kivu) registered one cVDPV2 case apiece. More on the paralytic polio case in New York State, USA announced in late July, with the strain genetically linked to two Sabin-like type 2 isolates collected from wastewater in Rockland County a month earlier, as well as earlier environmental detections in Israel and more recently, London, UK. An Aug 1 state health department press release said ‘Unvaccinated New Yorkers who live, work, go to school in, or visit Rockland County are at the highest risk of exposure’; polio vaccination rates for children at two years of age in the county are 60.5 percent. 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.