POLIO (POLIOMYELITIS)

March 2009

What is Polio

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a contagious disease disease that can be prevented by vaccination. It is spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water. Polio can attack the central nervous system and destroy the nerve cells that activate muscles. 

Cause

Poliovirus, type 1, 2 or 3

Risk to Travellers

• Risks are extremely low in regions of the world where the wild type virus has been eliminated (Western Hemisphere, Western Pacific and European Regions)
• Risks are variable in countries where polio still exists (endemic) or where cases have occurred recently.
• Risks depend on living conditions, length of stay and exposure to contaminated food and water.

Severity

Mainly affects children under age five, however, infection and paralysis may occur in individuals of any age who are not immune.

Over 90% of those infected show no symptoms or have only a non-specific fever; 1% will develop permanent paralysis.

Prevention

• Get vaccinated
• Practice safe food and water precautions

Treatment

There is no cure for polio.

 

Symptoms

• Can take 3 to 35 days to appear.
• Most people have no symptoms when they are infected.
• Some people develop mild symptoms including fever, sore throat, muscle aches and pains, drowsiness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or constipation.
• In more severe cases, the disease affects the spinal cord or brain, causing paralysis.  Polio can be fatal.

Transmission

• Mainly fecal-oral transmission.
• Polio is spread through close personal contact with secretions (fluids) from an infected person’s nose and throat, for example, when they sneeze or cough.
• It can also be spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated through poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation, or poor control of sewage.

Where is Polio a concern?

• Polio continues to occur (endemic) in four countries: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria
• There have been confirmed cases of wild polio in 2008-2009 in the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nepal, Niger, Sudan, Togo and Uganda.
• For up-to-date information on countries reporting polio, visit the website of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative .

Related Travel Health Notice

Polio (poliomyelitis) – March 6, 2009

Recommendations for Travellers

1. Get Vaccinated
   1. All travellers need to get vaccinated if they are going to:
      • Countries where polio is endemic
      • Countries with recently imported cases of polio
      • Countries that are close to those where polio is endemic, or those where recent cases have been reported.
   2. For infants and children under 18 years of age: 
      • Polio is part of the routine vaccine schedule in Canada. See provincial/territorial immunization schedules for further information.
      • If the routine vaccine schedule is not complete before travel, talk to a  health care provider about getting the remaining doses before leaving.
   3. For adults 18 years of age and older:
      • If you have completed your polio vaccine series and have not received a booster dose against polio since your 18th birthday:
        • Get a one-time booster dose before leaving
      • If you have not completed your polio vaccine series:
        • Get the remaining doses before leaving.
      • If you have not received any vaccines against polio:
        • Get fully vaccinated against polio
2. Practice safe food and water precautions
   • Boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it!
   • Always wash your hands before eating and drinking.
   • Eat only food that has been well cooked and is still hot when served. Avoid uncooked foods, especially shellfish and salads.
   • Drink and use ice from only purified water that has been boiled or disinfected with chlorine or iodine, or commercially bottled water in sealed containers. Carbonated drinks, including beer, are usually safe.
   • Avoid unpasteurized dairy products.
   • Avoid food from street vendors.
   • Avoid swimming in polluted or contaminated water.
   • Brush your teeth with purified or bottled water

Don’t Forget…

1. Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
2. What to do if you get sick when you are travelling.
3. What to do if you get sick after you return to Canada.
4. now what vaccines you need and when to get them.

Other Related Information

WHO Fact Sheet - Poliomyelitis

Global Polio Eradication Initiative

Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) - Poliomyelitis Vaccination for International Travellers