Poliomyelitis in Syria (Update 2)
04 Sep 2017
On 30 August 2017, 6 new cases of polio (cVDPV2) were reported in Syria. Onset of illness in the most case was b10 July 2017. All were in Deir-Ez-Zour governorate, where most cases in the current outbreak have been. The most recent case became ill on 10 July 2017. This new report brings the total in the outbreak to 39.
Advice for Travellers
Polio is spread mainly through person to person contact via the faecal-oral route. Particularly in areas where sanitation is poor therefore travellers should be encouraged to take strict precautions with food, water and personal hygiene.
Travellers should ensure that they have had a primary course of a polio containing vaccine and be offered a booster if it has been more than 10 years since their last dose. Additionally, travellers visiting this country for longer than 4 weeks should discuss with their travel health adviser whether it is necessary to receive a booster if they have not had one in the past 12 months. They should carry proof with them of when they last had this vaccination.
For further information see Poliomyelitis.