Polio in Ukraine

The Ukranian Ministry of Health has reported a case of polio in a child from the Transcarpathia region in December 2021. Laboratory reports indicate the patient was infected with a polio virus similar to one identified in an outbreak in the Rivne region in October 2021.

Advice for travellers

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

• be offered a booster dose of poliomyelitis vaccine if it has been more than 10 years since their last dose 
• practice safe hand hygiene and food and water precautions during travel to reduce their risk of exposure to polio virus

Travellers who intend to visit Ukraine for more than four weeks can receive a booster dose of polio containing vaccine if it is more than 12 months since their last dose. In particular, this should include individuals with weakened immune systems, those who are pregnant, those travelling to areas with inadequate sanitation and water systems and aid workers or medical personnel likely to be in close proximity to polio cases. They may also wish to carry proof of polio vaccination.

Further information is available on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Source: TRAVAX, 27 January 2022