Trending Now - CDC Alerts Travelers: Polio Outbreak in 32 Destinations

WHO:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst

Sandra Awodele, creator of COI Traveler

WHAT:

The CDC issued a "Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions" travel alert due to a "circulating poliovirus" in over 30 countries.

The advisory was published in early March 2026.

Travelers are advised to ensure they are up-to-date on polio vaccinations.

Adults who completed the full routine polio vaccine series may receive a single lifetime booster dose.

The CDC warns that polio can be crippling and potentially deadly, impacting the nervous system.

Minor symptoms of polio include fever, tiredness, nausea, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, stiffness in the neck and back, and pain in the arms and legs.

In rare cases, polio can lead to paralysis and can be fatal if it affects the muscles used for breathing or causes an infection of the brain.

WHERE:

The advisory includes 32 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Western Pacific.

Notable countries listed include:

Afghanistan

Algeria

Angola

Benin

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Côte d'Ivoire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Djibouti

Ethiopia

Finland

Gaza

Germany

Ghana

Guinea

Israel

Niger

Nigeria

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Poland

Senegal

Somalia

South Sudan

Spain

Sudan

Tanzania

United Kingdom

Yemen

Zimbabwe

WHEN:

The travel advisory was issued in early March 2026.

The advisory references the spread of polio detected in the last year.

WHY:

The advisory was issued due to the spread of polio, a "crippling and potentially deadly" disease.

HOW:

The CDC emphasizes the importance of proper handwashing to prevent the spread of polio.

The virus is transmitted via contact with the feces of an infected person, and through contaminated food or water.

The CDC has issued a "Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions" travel alert due to a circulating poliovirus detected in over 30 countries, advising travelers to ensure they are up-to-date on their polio vaccinations. This advisory, published earlier this month, highlights that polio can be crippling and potentially deadly, with symptoms ranging from fever and nausea to more severe complications like paralysis. The CDC stresses the importance of proper handwashing to prevent the virus, which spreads through contact with the feces of an infected person and contaminated food or water.