On August 12, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) elevated its level of concern regarding global polio transmission, announcing a Level 2 Travel Health Notice—advising U.S. travelers to “practice enhanced precautions”. This comes after detection of circulating poliovirus—including in wastewater samples—in several popular travel destinations.
What Travelers Need to Know
- Vaccination Update: The CDC urges travelers to ensure they are fully vaccinated against polio. Even those who have completed the standard vaccination series may receive a single, lifetime booster dose of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) before international travel to affected regions.
- Recommended Precautions:
- Frequent hand hygiene
- Avoid unsafe or untreated water
- Practice general sanitary precautions to reduce exposure to the virus.
Affected Regions
Destinations with confirmed poliovirus circulation include:
- Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Spain, Poland
- Middle East & Africa: Israel, West Bank & Gaza
- Africa (broader list): Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe
- Asia & Other Regions: Afghanistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Yemen, French Guiana, Papua New Guinea
Public Health Context
While wild poliovirus remains limited to places like Pakistan and Afghanistan, the current surge is driven by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), which can emerge in under-immunized populations and still cause paralysis.
Key Takeaways for Travelers
- Check your vaccination status—boosters may be needed even if you’re fully vaccinated in the past.
- Practice heightened hygiene and sanitation, especially in areas reporting poliovirus.
- Stay informed via CDC’s Travel Health Notices, which are regularly updated for changing global health risks.
Why It Matters:
Polio, though largely eliminated in many regions, can silently circulate and poses significant risks—especially when vaccines are underutilized. International travelers play a crucial role in preventing its spread. Ensuring booster updates and practicing basic preventive measures can help protect both individual health and global disease control
