Polio and International Travel: What Travellers Need to Know

Polio has been eliminated from most of the world, but the virus continues to circulate in a number of countries. For international travellers, this can have implications beyond personal health, including vaccination recommendations and, in some circumstances, requirements to carry proof of vaccination when travelling from affected countries.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently lists 29 destinations with circulating poliovirus, following an update to its global polio travel notice on 23 September 2026. The list includes countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as well as Germany and the United Kingdom. (CDC)

Where is polio virus currently circulating?

The current CDC list includes:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Germany, Israel, Laos, Malawi, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, United Kingdom, Yemen and Zambia. (CDC)

The presence of a country on this list does not mean that every traveller faces the same level of risk, nor does it mean that travel to the country is necessarily restricted. The CDC’s current recommendation is to practice enhanced precautions and ensure that travellers are up to date with their polio vaccination. (CDC)

Why does polio matter to travellers?

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can spread from person to person, primarily through the faecal-oral route. Most infections do not cause symptoms, but some can result in serious illness, including permanent paralysis.

For travellers, the risk can vary considerably depending on the destination, duration of travel, accommodation, activities and local conditions. Good hygiene and safe food and water practices can reduce exposure, but vaccination remains the main protection against polio.

Should travellers get a polio vaccination?

International travellers should make sure they are fully vaccinated against polio before travelling.

The CDC advises adults who have completed their routine vaccination series and are travelling to a destination with circulating poliovirus that they may receive a one-time lifetime booster dose if they have not previously received an adult booster. Travellers who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated should discuss completing their vaccination schedule with a healthcare professional before departure. (CDC)

The timing of vaccination matters, particularly for travel to countries where poliovirus is circulating or where specific vaccination documentation may apply. Travellers should therefore check the requirements for their particular journey well before departure.

Can polio vaccination be a travel requirement?

In some circumstances, yes. The international polio response includes measures intended to reduce the risk of poliovirus spreading across borders. WHO recommendations can require residents and long-term visitors in certain affected countries to receive a polio vaccination before international travel and to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) as evidence of vaccination. (World Health Organization)

Requirements can depend on where you have been travelling, how long you have stayed there and where you are travelling next. They can also change as the epidemiological situation develops.

This is why travellers should check both health recommendations and destination-specific entry requirements before departure rather than assuming that their routine vaccination status is sufficient.

Does a polio alert mean I should cancel my trip?

Not necessarily. A country appearing on the CDC’s circulating-poliovirus list is not, by itself, a recommendation against travel. The current CDC notice is a Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions advisory. (CDC)

Travellers should consider the specific circumstances of their journey, including the destination, length of stay and any additional health or security issues affecting the country.

For destinations where there are active outbreaks or additional travel-health measures, obtaining advice from a qualified healthcare professional before departure is particularly important.

What can travellers do to reduce the risk?

Before travelling, check that your routine vaccinations are up to date and speak with a healthcare professional if you are travelling to a destination where poliovirus is circulating.

During your trip, good hygiene remains important. Wash your hands regularly, particularly before eating and after using the bathroom, and take care with food and drinking water where sanitation standards may be limited.

If you are travelling through several countries, check the requirements for each stage of your journey. A vaccination or documentation requirement can relate not only to your final destination but also to where you have recently travelled.

Why travel-health information matters

Polio is a good example of why travel-health information should be checked close to departure. The countries where poliovirus is detected can change over time, and vaccination or documentation requirements may also change in response to new epidemiological information.

The current CDC list was updated on 23 September, adding Malawi, Mali, Togo and Zambia while removing Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gaza, Poland and Senegal from the list of destinations with circulating poliovirus. (CDC)

For international travellers, checking current information is therefore just as important as checking passports, visas and flight arrangements.

Staying informed before you travel

Health risks can change after a trip has been booked and sometimes after a traveller has already arrived at their destination. Global Traveller combines travel intelligence and destination information with 24/7 access to a human assistance team, giving international travellers a direct point of contact when they need practical support abroad.

For travellers looking for assistance before and during their journey, a Personal Travel Assistance Plan can provide additional support when medical, security or travel problems arise.

Information in this article is current as of 27 September 2026. Health recommendations and entry requirements can change. Travellers should check the latest destination-specific guidance and consult a qualified healthcare professional before travel where appropriate.