Polio threat in Israel, reports TheTravel Clinic

Naturally occurring polio virus has been found in 91 sewage samples across Israel. There have been no paralyzing illnesses caused by polio in Israel or the West Bank and Gaza, but the findings suggest that the virus is circulating in the environment, says The Travel Clinic.

Polio is contracted by eating and drinking contaminated food or water or by close contact with an infected person.

Polio vaccine has been used routinely since the 1950s and is included in the routine immunization programme.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of immunization at Public Health suggests:” Travellers  to Israel  and Palestine need to check their immunization status before travel and should receive a booster dose if they have not had one in the past 10 years.”

Polio vaccine can be given in the form of Revaxis,[tetanus, diphtheria, polio] or  Repevax, [tetanus, diphtheria, polio and (pertussis) whooping cough], both available at The Travel Clinic Ltd, Cambridge and Ipswich

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