This past week,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its global travel
advisory on polio, urging travelers to stay vigilant as the risk of exposure to
the virus rises in several countries worldwide. With sought-after destinations
on multiple continents reporting cases of the virus, the agency is encouraging
Americans to make sure their polio vaccinations are current before embarking on
international trips.
In the latest advisory,
the CDC assigned polio a "Level 2" alert, signaling that travelers
should "practice enhanced precautions." Among the 39 affected
destinations listed under the agency’s advisory are such popular countries as Germany,
Spain, the United
Kingdom, Finland,
Poland,
Indonesia, Egypt
and Kenya.
"Before any
international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio
vaccines," the CDC emphasized. The agency also recommends that adults who
have previously completed their full routine polio vaccine series consider
receiving a single, lifetime booster dose of the polio vaccine before traveling
to any of the affected countries.
Although it’s not
often found in the headlines today (having been virtually wiped out in the U.S.
decades ago thanks to widespread vaccination), polio remains a serious health
threat. The virus attacks the nervous system and can cause muscle weakness or
even permanent paralysis. Most people infected with polio, however, don't feel
very sick. Symptoms tend to be mild and may include fever, fatigue, nausea,
headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, and stiffness or pain in the
neck, back, arms or legs.
But the stakes can
be high. The CDC warns that polio “can be fatal if the muscles used for
breathing are paralyzed or if there is an infection of the brain.” Because the
virus is shed in the feces of infected individuals, it spreads primarily
through poor hygiene, especially inadequate handwashing after using the
bathroom, or through drinking water and eating food contaminated with fecal
matter.
So, how can travelers
protect themselves? Besides ensuring that their vaccination status is up to
date, the CDC advises frequent handwashing with soap and water, and taking care
to only consume safe, uncontaminated food and drinks while abroad.
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