Surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis uncovered two more polio infections in the state of Sabah; they come just over a month after the first case of VDPV1 was identified in an infant from Tuaran district (West Coast Divison). That virus was found to be genetically linked to one circulating in the southern Philippines. The newly confirmed cases were in boys aged eight and 11 years from Kinabatangan and Sandakan (in the NE division of Sandakan) and their diagnoses have prompted a review of the mass vaccination campaign which was originally planned just for children aged under 5yo. Read more. More polio news in a global update from the GPEI dated Jan 9. Also, three more cVDPV2 have been reported in Ghana (Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions). In Pakistan, six more wild poliovirus infection were recently confirmed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, taking the province’s 2019 total to 97 and 141 for the country as a whole.
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.