Poliomyelitis in Syria (Update 3)
27 Sep 2017
In the week to 20 September 2017, Syria reported 1 new case of polio (cVDPV2) in Mayadeen district, Deir-Ez-Zour governorate. The total number of cases in the current outbreak is now 40. Onset of illness in these cases is between 3 March and 13 July 2017.
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.