Canada shares important travel advisory update for Germany and the U.K.
Canada has issued a travel advisory update, warning travellers heading to the U.K. or Germany of a potential health risk.
The Government of Canada recently updated its travel health notice for the U.K., Germany, and other countries due to the risk of polio.
“Make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel, no matter where you’re going,” reads the statement for both countries.
“These may include vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, seasonal flu, and others.”
According to Canada’s health travel notice, polio is a highly infectious disease that can quickly spread from one person to another through food or water contaminated with feces. Although most people infected with the virus don’t exhibit symptoms, initial symptoms can include fever, sore throat, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, loss of appetite, aching muscles, or stiff neck and back.
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Symptoms usually go away on their own after two to 10 days; however, the infection can cause permanent damage to the nervous system (including the brain and spinal cord), causing weakness or paralysis. According to the World Health Organization, the disease largely impacts children five years old or younger.
To protect yourself when travelling, only eat food that’s well-cooked or served hot and drink water that has been boiled, disinfected, or is in a commercially sealed bottle. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60 per cent alcohol.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the international spread of poliovirus a public health emergency of international concern,” reads the travel health notice. “To prevent or reduce further spread, the WHO issues temporary recommendations to countries affected by polio.”
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In addition to Germany and the U.K., different strains of the virus have been reported in Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea, Israel and Palestine, Laos, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Yemen.
If you’re heading to any of these destinations, make sure your routine polio vaccination is up to date by visiting a travel health clinic or health-care provider around six weeks before your trip.
Departing for your trip soon? It’s still worth making an appointment for personalized health advice. Ask your health-care provider to record any polio vaccines you’ve received on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. These certificates are provided at yellow fever vaccination centres, and it’s important to carry them with you when you travel.
Visit the Government of Canada’s website for detailed information on polio advice for travellers.