Polio in Occupied Palestinian Territories

On 8 July 2024 at the thirty-ninth meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) on the international spread of poliovirus, the World Health Organization reported new emergence of poliovirus in Occupied Palestinian Territories. Efforts are already underway to mount an outbreak response.

Advice for Travellers

Poliomyelitis is spread mainly through person to person contact via the faecal-oral route.

• All travellers should take care with personal and food and water hygiene.
• Travellers should be offered a booster dose of poliomyelitis vaccine if it has been more than 10 years since their last dose.
• In addition, travellers who intend to visit Occupied Palestinian Territory for more than 4 weeks can receive a booster dose of polio containing vaccine if it is more than 12 months since they had it last and may wish to carry proof of vaccination.

For further information see the TRAVAX Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories country page and Poliomyelitis page.