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Poliomyelitis in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Update 1)

14 August 2017

On 9 August the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reported 3 new cases of type 2 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).

The total number of cases this year is 7. There have been two outbreaks: 5 cases in Haut Lomami province (most recent case 13 June); 2 cases and one positive sample from a healthy individual in Maniema province. An additional positive was detected in a healthy person on 2 May.

Advice for Travellers

Authorities in the UK recommend the following:

Travellers should be encouraged to take strict precautions with food, water and personal hygiene.

In Scotland, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) advise:

  • Where visiting a polio infected country for longer than 4 weeks travellers can receive a booster dose of a polio-containing vaccine if they have not had one in the past 12 months (this advice supersedes the current advice in the Green Book).
  • Travellers should acquire this additional dose within 12 months of the date they plan to leave the polio-infected country.
  • Where visiting a polio infected country for less than 4 weeks travellers should ensure they are up-to-date with routine polio vaccination, including 10 yearly boosters.
  • Travellers should carry proof of vaccination. In particular, for Pakistan this should be documented on the standard International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). The ICVP is the 'Yellow Card' normally used for yellow fever vaccination.
  • In Scotland, paper ICVP’s can be obtained from HPS by contacting TRAVAX administration, email your FULL NAME and FULL POSTAL ADDRESS to: NSS.HPSTravax@nhs.net electronic copies can be downloaded from WHO

In England, Public Health England and NaTHNaC have issued advice which is different to that in Scotland (please look at Travel Health Pro Clinical updates for full details).

For further infromation please see Poliomyeltis and FAQ pages.