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Poliomyelitis in Syria

23 Jun 2017

As of 21 June 2017 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative report 15 new cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliomyelitis type 2 (cVDPV2) in the past week. This brings the total number of polio cases in Syria this year to 17; all are cVDPV2 cases. Sixteen of the cases are in Deir-Al-Zor governorate in East Syria and 1 case in Raqqa governorate (Northern Syria).

Two mass immunsation rounds are planned in Deir-Al-Zor, the first beginning in early July, focussed on children under 5 years.

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.

Fitfortravel recommends that all travellers should have received a full primary course of poliomyelitis vaccine. Travellers should be offered a booster of poliomyelitis vaccine if it has been more than 10 years since their last dose.