Poliomyelitis in Syria (Update 1)
14 Aug 2017
On 9 August 2017, 3 new cases of polio (cVDPV2) were reported in Syria. Onset of illness in these 3 cases was between 3 March and 16 June.
The number of polio cases in the current outbreak is 30. Of these, 29 cases were in Mayadeen district, Deir Ez-Zour governorate, and 1 case in Talabyad district, Raqqa governorate.
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.