Poliomyelitis in Syria
09 Jun 2017
In Syria, a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak has been confirmed. The virus strain was isolated from two cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and one healthy contact (collection date: 25 April 2017), from Deir-Ez-Zor governorate. The cases had onset of paralysis on 5 March and 6 May.
No case of wild poliovirus type 1 has been reported in Syria since 21 January 2014.
(Via Global Polio Eradication Initiative
- accessed 09/06/17)
Advice for Travellers
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.
Fitfortravel recommends that all travellers should have received a full primary course of poliomyelitis vaccine. Travellers should be offered a booster of poliomyelitis vaccine if it has been more than 10 years since their last dose.