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Asia Polio Alert

Updated on 15 December 2019



The Situation:

The CDC issued an Alert Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions, for Polio in Asia.

The WHO has recommended that the following countries – where cases have been reported

– require residents and long-term (> 4 weeks) visitors show proof of polio vaccination

before leaving the country:

  • Afghanistan

  • Burma(Myanmar)

  • China

  • Indonesia

  • Malaysia

  • Pakistan

  • Papua New Guinea

  • The Philippines





Symptoms of Polio

Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly disease that affects the nervous system. The virus

lives in the feces of infected persons and can be spread via contaminated water, food and

poor handwashing practices. Most people with polio do not feel sick. Some may only

experience minor symptoms:

  • Fever

  • Tiredness

  • Nausea

  • Headache

  • Nasal congestion

  • Sore throat

  • Cough

  • Stiffness in the neck and back

  • Pain in the arms and legs

  • In rare cases, polio infection causes permanent loss of muscle function (paralysis).

  • Polio can be fatal if the muscles used for breathing are paralyzed or if there is an infection of the brain.


Mitigating Factors to Apply:

  • Monitor local authorities and media for updates

  • The CDC recommends getting the polio vaccine

  • For adults who have been fully vaccinated a booster shot is recommended.

  • See the CDC page for further details. Link

  • Polio Vaccination Information Statement. Link

  • Wash hands regularly

  • Drink only bottled water

  • Speak to your healthcare provider for more information about vaccination and precautions


DISCLAIMER and Hold Harmless

Disclaimer: LSDS® gathers information from multiple sources and offers insight and perspective to travelers. Sources cannot be validated for accuracy in every instance. Travelers assume all risk associated with their travel and are responsible for the decisions associated with travel and for their own safety. Users of this reference document agree, to hold harmless LSDS® (LLC) its employees and clients associated with any risk or injury incurred during travel.

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