All polio cases reported by the GPEI last week were cVDPV type 2 (cVDPV2) - Pakistan registered three cases (Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh provinces), while in Africa, Cameroon’s two cases were from Extreme Nord region; of Chad’s eight cases, seven were from Logone Oriental and the last from Moyen Chari; Côte d’Ivoire logged three more cases (Gontougo, Nawa and Tonkpi ); the DRC’s four cases were from Equateur, Kinshasa and Maindombe; and three of Mali’s 15 cases were from the capital, Bamako and the remainder in Sikasso, Menaka, Mopti and Gao; and lastly, in South Sudan, nine infections were registered in Warrap and Northern and Western Bahr El Ghazal. In other polio news, emergency use approval of a vaccine specifically for cVDPV is pending while the results of phase 2 trials are awaited. The vaccine is already being produced at an Indonesian facility. 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.