Four more wild poliovirus infections (WPV1) were reported by the GPEI this week, three from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (Bannu and North Waziristan districts) and one from Sindh (Larkana District), taking the national YTD total to 15 (17 via a local news source on May 21). A positive environmental sample was also detected in the SE province of Sistan-Baluchistan in Iran, near the Afghanistan/Pakistan borders. 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.