In the past fortnight, the GPEI has reported Madagascar’s second cVDPV1 case in two weeks (in Boeni), while Nigeria logged a total of 35 cVDPV2 cases (in Adamwa, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Gombe, Kano, Taraba and Yobe) and Côte d’Ivoire’s single cVDPV2 infection was from Guemon province. Elsewhere, the ECDC announced that a cVDPV2 infection had been confirmed in an unvaccinated 18mo girl from the Ukraine’s Rivne oblast. The virus strain has been linked with those circulating in Pakistan. Polio vaccination rates in the Ukraine’s north-west are reported to be under 49 percent. In other polio news, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE) has endorsed the transition to the next use phase for the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) vaccine.
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.