Polio in Angola (Lunda Norte Province)

21 Jun 2019

The Global Polio Eradication Intiative reports that an outbreak of polio has been confirmed in Angola, where the disease is not normally present. As of 12 June 2019, polio virus has been identified in a patient who became unwell on 5 April 2019, as well as in a contact of the patient. The outbreak is in Cambulo district of Lunda Norte province. This is the the north east of Angola, close to the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo, where polio is present.

Advice for Travellers

The World Health Organisation recommendsthat "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.