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Polio in Ukraine

27 January 2022

The Ukrainian Ministry of Health has reported (in Ukrainian) a case of polio in a child from the Transcarpathia region in December 2021. Laboratory reports indicate the patient was infected with a polio virus similar to one identified in an outbreak in Rivne region in October 2021.

Advice for Travellers

Poliomyelitis is spread mainly through person to person contact via the faecal-oral route.  Travellers should:

  • be offered a booster dose of poliomyelitis vaccine if it has been more than 10 years since their last dose.
  • practice safe hand hygiene and food and water precautions during travel to reduce their risk of exposure to polio virus

For those travellers who intend to visit Ukraine for more than 4 weeks, they can receive a booster dose of polio containing vaccine if it is more than 12 months since they had it last.  In particular, individuals with weakened immune systems (including pregnancy), those travelling to areas with inadequate sanitation and water systems (slums/refugee camps) and/or aid workers/medical personnel who are likely to be in close proximity to polio cases. They may also wish to carry proof of polio vaccination.

For further information see the TRAVAX Ukraine country page and Poliomyelitis page.