Vaccine strain polio outbreaks in Democratic Republic of the Congo

There are reports of 2 separate outbreaks of infections with the vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) strain. One outbreak involves 2 patients in Haut Lomami province and 2 patients in Maniema province.

Advice

When vaccination levels among children decrease due to lack of vaccination, the modified strain of the poliovirus used in the vaccine may cause sporadic illness in unvaccinated children. Travellers in any country that reports cases of polio can reduce their risk of exposure to poliovirus by ensuring that their childhood vaccinations, including polio, are up-to-date prior to travelling. Residents (and visitors for more than 4 weeks) from infected areas should receive an additional dose of oral polio vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine within 4 weeks to 12 months before travelling.