Poliomyelitis in Ethiopia

26 Aug 2013

On 14 August, a case of wild poliovirus (WPV1) was reported in a child residing in Ethiopia with date of onset of paralysis of 10 July 2013. The case is an 18-month old unvaccinated child from the Somali Region (Warder district) of Ethiopia.

An immediate local immunization campaign is being conducted in the vicinity of the case, with a larger-scale activity planned targeting 950,000 children under the age of five years. Additional immunisation activities are planned from September to November 2013.

Advice for Travellers

It is recommended that travellers have a poliomyelitis booster (or course) if not already protected and take precautions with food, water and personal hygiene.