Health and Me

Ishita Roy

US Issues Travel Advisory For International Travelers Against Global Polio

The United States has issued a <span>travel advisory</span> against <span>global <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/polio">polio</a></span>. International travel often comes with vaccine reminder and health checks to stay safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 travel advisory for certain international destinations with circulating <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/polio">polio</a></span>virus. The CDC has asked travellers to ensure they are up to date on their polio vaccines.

The Destination list for global polio travel notice includes:

<ul><li>Afghanistan</li><li>Algeria</li><li>Angola</li><li>Benin</li><li>Burkina Faso</li><li>Cameroon</li><li>Central African Republic</li><li>Chad</li><li>Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)</li><li>Democratic Republic of the Congo</li><li>Djibouti</li><li>Ethiopia</li><li>Finland</li><li>Germany</li><li>Ghana</li><li>Guinea</li><li>Israel</li><li>the West Bank and Gaza</li><li>Niger</li><li>Nigeria</li><li>Pakistan</li><li>Papua New Guinea</li><li>Poland</li><li>Republic of South Sudan</li><li>Senegal</li><li>Somalia</li><li>Spain</li><li>Sudan</li><li>Tanzania, including Zanzibar</li><li>United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland</li><li>Yemen</li><li>Zimbabwe</li></ul>

The CDC issued a 'Level 2' advisory, which means to 'practice enhanced precautions'.

The advisory suggests that children and adults should be up to date on their routine polio vaccines. Travelers are also asked to get an inactivated polio vaccine booster if they are going to the destination that has circulating poliovirus, or have completed their routine polio vaccine series; and have not already received one adult booster dose. 

The CDC issues four different types of notices based on the gravity of the disease spread. 

<h3>Level 1 : Practice Usual Precautions</h3>

Practice usual precautions for this destination, as described in the Travel Health Notice and/or on the destination page.

<h3>Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions</h3>

Practice enhanced precautions for this destination. The Travel Health Notice describes additional precautions or defines a specific population at risk.

<h3>Level 3: Reconsider Nonessential Travel</h3>

Reconsider nonessential travel to this destination. The outbreak or event poses risk to travelers because limited precautions are available.

Avoid travel to this destination unless traveling for humanitarian aid or emergency response; there is an extreme health risk for travelers and no available precautions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that it is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in matter of hours. The virus is transmitted by person to person spread mainly through the fecal-oral route, or less frequently, by a common vehicle, which could be either from contaminated food or water. The virus also multiplies in the intestine.

The National Institute of Health (NIH), US, notes that the virus responsible for causing Polio belongs to the Picornaviridae family.

<h4>As per the WHO, the common Polio symptoms are:</h4>

<ul><li>Fever</li><li>Fatigue</li><li>Headache</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Stiffness of the neck a</li><li>Pain in the limbs</li></ul>

Polio is mainly transmitted through the faecal-oral route, meaning it spreads when a person consumes food or water contaminated with the virus. It can also spread through close contact with an infected individual. The poliovirus lives in the throat and intestines of those infected, and poor sanitation, unsafe water, and inadequate hygiene greatly increase the risk of transmission, especially in communities with limited access to clean facilities.

In severe cases, polio can lead to acute flaccid paralysis, which may affect the diaphragm and throat muscles, making it difficult to breathe or swallow. Since there is no cure for polio, prevention remains the only line of defence. Raising awareness about polio vaccination is therefore essential to protect individuals, especially children, from this potentially life-threatening disease.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

travel advisory

us health news

cdc travel advisory

global polio

us news

health news

polio

polio travel advisory

Gen-Zs Are Drinking More And Challenging Their Reputation Of 'Generation Sensible': Study

US Signs 24 Health MoUs Under ‘America First’ Strategy, More Details Inside

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

The United States has issued a travel advisory against global polio. International travel often comes with vaccine reminder and health checks to stay safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 travel advisory for certain international destinations with circulating poliovirus. The CDC has asked travellers to ensure they are up to date on their polio vaccines. The Destination list for global polio travel notice includes:AfghanistanAlgeriaAngolaBeninBurkina FasoCameroonCentral African RepublicChadCôte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)Democratic Republic of the CongoDjiboutiEthiopiaFinlandGermanyGhanaGuineaIsraelthe West Bank and GazaNigerNigeriaPakistanPapua New GuineaPolandRepublic of South SudanSenegalSomaliaSpainSudanTanzania, including ZanzibarUnited Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern IrelandYemenZimbabweThe CDC issued a 'Level 2' advisory, which means to 'practice enhanced precautions'.The advisory suggests that children and adults should be up to date on their routine polio vaccines. Travelers are also asked to get an inactivated polio vaccine booster if they are going to the destination that has circulating poliovirus, or have completed their routine polio vaccine series; and have not already received one adult booster dose. Types Of Notices Issued By CDCThe CDC issues four different types of notices based on the gravity of the disease spread. Level 1 : Practice Usual PrecautionsPractice usual precautions for this destination, as described in the Travel Health Notice and/or on the destination page.Level 2: Practice Enhanced PrecautionsPractice enhanced precautions for this destination. The Travel Health Notice describes additional precautions or defines a specific population at risk.Level 3: Reconsider Nonessential TravelReconsider nonessential travel to this destination. The outbreak or event poses risk to travelers because limited precautions are available.Level 4: Avoid All Travel Avoid travel to this destination unless traveling for humanitarian aid or emergency response; there is an extreme health risk for travelers and no available precautions.What Is Polio?The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that it is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in matter of hours. The virus is transmitted by person to person spread mainly through the fecal-oral route, or less frequently, by a common vehicle, which could be either from contaminated food or water. The virus also multiplies in the intestine.The National Institute of Health (NIH), US, notes that the virus responsible for causing Polio belongs to the Picornaviridae family.As per the WHO, the common Polio symptoms are:FeverFatigueHeadacheVomitingStiffness of the neck aPain in the limbsHow Does Polio Spread?Polio is mainly transmitted through the faecal-oral route, meaning it spreads when a person consumes food or water contaminated with the virus. It can also spread through close contact with an infected individual. The poliovirus lives in the throat and intestines of those infected, and poor sanitation, unsafe water, and inadequate hygiene greatly increase the risk of transmission, especially in communities with limited access to clean facilities.In severe cases, polio can lead to acute flaccid paralysis, which may affect the diaphragm and throat muscles, making it difficult to breathe or swallow. Since there is no cure for polio, prevention remains the only line of defence. Raising awareness about polio vaccination is therefore essential to protect individuals, especially children, from this potentially life-threatening disease.