Polio Travel Vaccination

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious and debilitating viral infection that is spread through contaminated food and water. The disease occurs in the gastro-intestinal tract and can spread to the nervous system, where it can result in lifelong paralysis, usually in the legs. Around one in 200 people infected by the polio virus experience permanent paralysis.

Symptoms of polio

Polio has no symptoms in 95% of cases. Those infected with the virus can pass it on to others without realizing it. It is spread via respiratory droplets or the fecal-oral route.

Where polio is symptomatic, patients experience some of the following from 20 days after infection: sore throat, nausea and vomiting, muscular pains, headache, fever and abdominal pains.

The polio virus may go on to attack the spinal nerves, resulting in paralysis. This paralysis could spread to the respiratory system and this has the potential to prove fatal. Patients with respiratory paralysis will be supported with assisted breathing.

Where am I at risk of exposure to polio?

Speak with your Canadian Travel Clinics nurse about the current list of countries with an active spread of polio. This list changes rapidly. As a rule of thumb, outbreaks occur wherever infrastructure is poor, such as areas of conflict or in the wake of natural disasters.

Certain countries with outbreaks may demand to see proof of vaccination before you are allowed to leave, and this could seriously delay your travel plans.

Canada has been polio-free for over 20 years.

Which travellers are at risk from polio?

Some travellers are at increased risk of being exposed to polio because of their work. This group includes aid and healthcare workers – particularly those who work anywhere with poor sanitation. Laboratory workers may also be at risk.

Another group of travellers at risk from polio are long-stay travellers and homestay travellers, such as those visiting friends and relatives. If you are travelling to care for a relative with polio, you should get a booster.

Prevent the spread of polio

Vaccination is a good way to prevent the spread of polio. The vaccine Revaxis protects adults from diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Children are vaccinated as part of their routine immunizations in Canada. A booster may be required before you travel to high-risk areas.

Polio spreads quickly where sanitation is poor and can be picked up from contaminated food and water. It’s safest to drink bottled (or treated) water, to avoid ice and only eat fruit or vegetables that you can wash and peel yourself. Thorough handwashing is vital.

Polio is also spread in respiratory droplets, so good sneezing and coughing etiquette is important, and you should wash your hands before touching your face or mouth.