Polio in Malawi

On 23 February 2022, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reported a case of polio in Lilongwe, Malawi in 2021, which was thought to be imported from Pakistan.

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 ten years since their last dose.

The TRAVAX and fitfortravel websites have updated the recommendations for travel to Malawi to reflect this. 

Further advice on poliomyelitis can be found on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Source: TRAVAX, 28 February 2022