Poliomyelitis in Afghanistan
16 Jun 2017
One new wild poliovirus type 1(WPV1) case was reported in the past week with onset of paralysis, 16 April from Nawzad district, Hilmand. This brings the total number of WPV1 cases for 2017 to four and is the most recent case in the country.
(Via Global Polio Eradication Initiative
- accessed 16/06/17)
Advice for Travellers
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 visiting this country for longer than 4 weeks may be advised to have a booster dose of a polio containing vaccine if they have not had one in the past 12 months. They should carry proof of having had this vaccination. Please speak to your travel health adviser to discuss.