CDC issues travel advisory for 32 countries due to polio risk
A travel alert has been raised for 32 countries due to the spread of polio disease.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued a level 2 alert, warning Americans to "practice enhanced precautions” before visiting certain countries, particularly in Europe and Asia.
"Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus," the CDC said in their website, reminding travelers to enaure they are up to date on their polio vaccines.
"Before travel to any destination listed below, adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series may receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine," the CDC added.
Notable countries include Germany, Israel, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Other countries included in CDC's list are Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Finland, Gaza, Ghana, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.
CDC defined polio as "a crippling and potentially deadly disease that affects the nervous system." In some cases, polio infection can cause permanent loss of muscle function and can be fatal if breathing muscles are paralyzed or if there is brain infection.
The polio virus lives in the feces of infected individuals. It spreads easily when people consume food or water contaminated by unwashed hands. Consistent handwashing after using the bathroom is essential to prevent transmission.
CDC added that most people with polio do not feel sick, although some people could experience minor symptoms, such as fever, tiredness, nausea, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, stiffness in the neck and back, and pain in the arms and legs.
