Poliomyelitis in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Update 2)
04 Sep 2017
On 30 August 2017, 1 new case of polio (cVDPV2) was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The total number of cases this year is 8. There have been two outbreaks: 6 cases in Haut Lomami province and 2 cases in Maniema province where an additional healthy person was found to be positive on 2 May.
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.