The serious, paralyzing viral disease, polio, has not been seen in the United States in over 30 years; however, it is present endemically in three nations and cases appear occasionally in non-endemic nations.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising travelers to 25 endemic and non-endemic countries to ensure they receive a polio booster prior to travel, according to CDC travel notice Nov. 19.The destinations include Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), India, Iran, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sudan and South Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Uganda and Zambia.Globally, the number of polio cases is down significantly compared to 2011, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.As of Nov. 14, there have been 187 polio cases reported, down from 520 during the same time frame in 2011.The decrease in polio cases are giving the experts hope that this debilitating disease could finally become eradicated.182 of the cases come from the three endemic countries: Nigeria (101), Pakistan (54) and Afghanistan (27). Five cases have been reported from one non-endemic country, Chad.Polio is caused by the poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3. All three types cause paralysis, with wild poliovirus type 1 being isolated from paralysis cases most often.This viral infection is primarily spread from person to person through the fecal-oral route; however, in places where sanitation is very good, transmission though throat secretions may be considered more important.Polio is recognized in about 1 percent of infections by flaccid paralysis, while over 90 percent of infections are unapparent.Paralysis of poliomyelitis is usually asymmetric and the site of paralysis depends on the location of nerve cell destruction on the spinal cord or brain stem. Legs are affected more often than the arms.Paralysis of the respiration can be life threatening.Most cases of polio are in children under the age of five.The CDC offers the following recommendations for travelers to protect themselves:Get vaccinated for polio.
- Talk to your doctor to find out if you are up-to-date with your polio vaccination and whether you need a booster dose before traveling.
- Even if you were vaccinated as a child or have been sick with polio before, you may need a booster shot to make sure that you are protected. If you are traveling with children, be sure that they have been fully vaccinated, too.
- Eat foods that are fully cooked and served hot.
- Eat and drink dairy products that have been pasteurized.
- Eat only fruits and vegetables that you can wash with safe water and peel yourself.
- Drink only bottled or boiled water or beverages that have been bottled and sealed (carbonated drinks or sports drinks). Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice.
- Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Wash hands especially before eating, drinking, or preparing food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and coughing or sneezing.
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