Polio

The world-wide vaccination campaign has led to an over 99% reduction in polio cases since 1988.¹

The polio virus lives in the intestine and spreads from person to person through coming into contact with the faeces of someone who has the infection.¹ Eating food or drinking water contaminated by the faeces of someone who has polio can also transmit the disease. Although less common, it can also spread through coughs or sneezes.³

Most countries are now free of polio (see map). The risk of polio is greatest in Afghanistan and Pakistan.¹ Certain other countries are also affected.²

Most people will not experience any symptoms.³ Those who do may get flu-like symptoms for up to 10 days, including fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck and muscle pain.³

Polio can be fatal and cannot be treated.¹ Severe polio causes paralysis in 1 in 200 people, mainly of the legs and sometimes of the muscles used to breathe.¹

You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

• Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip
• Practice good hygiene and ensure you have access to clean water.⁴