CDC Issues New Travel Health Alert For 5 European Countries

We at Travel Off Path are not here to fearmonger — we’re just here to report the facts.

Nor is this article sponsored by Pfizer…

The truth is, we all relate to you and hope that any news coming from the CDC remains in the rear-view mirror because who could possibly want to relive what we all went through in 2020?

While ever-changing variants of COVID are here to stay, the CDC is honing in on another harmful disease that was thought to be put to bed in the 1950s when yet another controversial vaccine hit the market.

For travelers ready to make use of their passport and jet off to Europe, beyond entry requirements and travel advisories, there’s now another checklist to review before planning you dream vacation.

The CDC is reporting Polio is circulating across some of Europe’s most popular countries, therefore it’s important to double check your medical records to ensure you’re not at risk catching a virus that was stopped in its tracks decades ago.

In total, 39 countries have been listed as potential Polio hotspots, but you’re unlikely to travel to Gaza or Djibouti, so we’ve narrowed it down to the 5 European countries at risk for the spread of Polio.

Travel Tip: Before jetting off to Europe, it’s not only medical records you’ll want to seek out. Make sure to dot your I’s and cross your T’s for a smooth trip abroad by utilizing Travel Off Path’s new 1-Minute Trip Check.

Polio? That Still Exists?

Listen, let’s not get into a deep discussion of vaccinations. We’ll save that for other platforms.

None of us could say “mama” or “dada” to even give our consent to receive the first dose of the Polio shot, which you likely received around 2 months old, followed by another round or two before your first birthday.

The Polio vaccine is required to attend public school, so parents are hamstrung deciding between injecting their babies or committing to homeschooling.

The reason the shot is required is that Polio can be a crippling illness, ultimately fatal at times, or at the very least highly debilitating.

The virus affected hundreds of thousands worldwide in the first half of the 20th century — there’s no denying that.

Though, there’s an argument to be made that it wasn’t solely the Polio vaccine driving down case numbers.

The point is that there’s a noticeable uptick in the disease for the CDC to trigger an official Level 2 – Practice Enhanced Precautions health alert.

Polio, short for” poliomyelitis”, is indeed back, and not the comeback worthy of an LL Cool J song.

There is no cure for Polio. That’s why the CDC encourages all travelers traveling internationally to one of the 39 countries listed to double-check they’re up to date on vaccinations as it’s stated by WebMD that “You’re at risk of getting polio if you’re unvaccinated. If you have been vaccinated, it is extremely rare for you to get it”.

Most Adults Are Currently Protected

We are fully in tandem with the CDC on this — it’s highly important to wash your hands. You see, every country has different sanitary standards.

Once you see India’s street food enter your TikTok algorithm, you’ll understand…

As gross as it sounds, Polio is spread through fecal matter. As such, we’re always simply trusting that our food handlers are following a hygienic protocol by thoroughly washing their hands, but that’s not always the case, hence endless food poisoning horror stories when traveling abroad.

The good news is most adults are protected against Polio since it was a required vaccination, but adult boosters may be an option if vaccinated as a child and have not received a booster before.

But the CDC is reminding parents that children should be vaccinated 4 times at this schedule, especially if you’re traveling internationally in the near future:

• 1st does – 2months old
• 2nd dose – 4 months old
• 3rd dose – 6 – 18 months old
• 4th dose – 4 – 6 years old

Full List Of 39 Destinations With Circulating Poliovirus

Chances are a majority of the following list won’t be on your travel radar any time soon unless you’re the rare type of traveler that views some of Africa’s most dangerous countries as a good time.

However, what’s most surprising from the CDC’s health alert is that some of Europe’s most popular nations are affected.

For example, if you’re planning a trip to Oktoberfest festivities next month in Germany, you might want to request a copy of your medical records.

Germany is not alone. Finland, Poland, Spain, and the UK have all seen enough cases to warrant an official warning.

If you haven’t been vaccinated, the most concerning aspect of Polio is that there may be no symptoms at all, yet you may still be infected (sounds familiar, right?).

The following countries have been listed by the CDC as having circulating Poliovirus:

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Angola
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Finland
• French Guiana
• Gaza
• Germany
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Indonesia
• Israel
• Kenya
• Liberia
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Poland
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Spain
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• United Kingdom
• Yemen
• Zimbabwe

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.