Polio in Niger and Nigeria

03 Oct 2018

On 25 September 2018 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reported that 2 cases of polio had been notified in Zinder Province, Niger on 18 July and 8 August 2018. The cases in Niger are linked to a polio outbreak occurring across the border in Jigawa, Nigeria. Katsina and Borno States in Nigeria have also reported cases linked to Jigawa outbreak. Cases unconnected to Jigawa have also been reported in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Advice for Travellers

WHO recommends that "all travellers to polio-affected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. Residents (and visitors for more than 4 weeks) from infected areas should receive an additional dose of OPV or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) within 4 weeks to 12 months of travel."

For further information see Poliomyelitis.