Polio travel warnings issued for five European countries

The CDC has issued level 2 travel advisories for five European countries due to poliovirus circulation.

Polio travel warnings issued for five European countries

The CDC has issued level 2 travel advisories for the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Poland and Spain after poliovirus was detected in the region. The virus is highly contagious and can spread through droplets from sneezing or coughing and through contaminated waste. Severe cases can lead to paralysis and breathing difficulties, though most people show no symptoms.

Polio remains eradicated in the United States and most developed nations, but pockets of circulation persist in 39 countries. Vaccination remains the best defense; authorities say vaccines are routinely offered in the five advised countries and boosters may be recommended for travelers. It is not clear exactly where the virus was detected, with wastewater testing suggesting possible asymptomatic spread. The CDC urges travelers to be up to date on their polio vaccines before travel and to practice good hygiene.

These advisories show how far public health has come and how far it still has to go. Europe has reduced polio to a risk rather than a crisis, but gaps in routine vaccination and adult booster uptake can reopen pathways for the virus. Wastewater signals illustrate both the power and limits of surveillance.

Messaging matters. If the public tunes out or blames health officials, the effort to protect travelers falters. The travel industry will weigh safety against demand, and clear guidance can help keep borders open without inviting panic.

Highlights

Global health relies on clear action and shared responsibility across borders.