Polio Outbreaks Continue in November 2024

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported that three countries confirmed additional polio outbreaks this week.

As of November 15, 2024, Pakistan reported three more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases from Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the total number of cases to 48 this year.

Additionally, Nigeria revealed seven more circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases, and Chad confirmed two cVDPV2 cases.

In August 2024, the World Health Organization confirmed that the spread of the poliovirus remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

To notify international travelers of this health risk, the U.S. CDC maintains a Global Polio Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions Travel Health Notice, regarding polio outbreaks and poliovirus detections in 37 countries.

The CDC recommends that future travelers to these countries speak with a travel vaccine expert at least one month before departing abroad about immunization options.