Although vaccination has eliminated cases caused by wild virus in the Western Hemisphere, poliomyelitis continues to occur in developing countries of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Travelers to these areas should be immune to polio. Etiology Polioviruses are RNA-containing Enteroviruses.
Most persons are asymptomatic.
Symptoms include myalgias followed by asymmetric, flaccid paralysis. Involvement of the cranial nerves may cause bulbar paralysis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all travelers to developing countries be fully immunized against poliomyelitis. Adults who have received the primary vaccine series in the past should receive a single booster before traveling to a developing country. Two vaccine products are available.