CDC urges travelers to take extra precautions when visiting 32 countries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging U.S. travelers to take extra precautions when visiting 32 countries, including popular tourist destinations like Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.  The CDC issued a “Level 2” advisory for the countries, stating that travelers should “Practice enhanced precautions” because of the circulating poliovirus.

Health officials said anyone (children and adults) heading to these places should be up-to-date on polio vaccines.  The CDC added that adults who previously finished their full, routine polio vaccinations can get a “single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.”

Polio, a disease caused by the poliovirus, infects the intestines and throat, according to the Cleveland Clinic.  It can lead to flu-like symptoms, brain inflammation, and in severe instances, permanent paralysis.  Humans spread polio “through contact with poop or respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing,” the clinic said.  “It also spreads through contaminated food or water.”

Wild poliovirus has been eliminated in the U.S. for years, thanks to vaccines.  However, the Cleveland Clinic pointed out that polio, while rare, hasn’t been fully eradicated across the world.  “Polio hasn’t been completely wiped out, but childhood vaccines have gotten rid of it in most places,” the clinic said.  Thanks to vaccines, cases have dropped a lot in the last 70 years.  But if polio exists anywhere, it can spread again – especially if fewer people get vaccinated.”

For more information visit wwwnc.cdc.gov.