Polio
This untreatable virus gives some people flu-like symptoms and nausea. Severe polio causes paralysis of the legs and arms, and sometimes of the muscles used to breathe.
Key Facts around Polio
The world-wide vaccination campaign has led to a 99% decrease in polio cases compared to 1988.1
-
How do people catch this disease?
- The polio virus spreads from person to person.1,3
- You can get it by eating food or drinking water contaminated by faeces of someone who has the virus, or from coughs and sneezes.1,3
-
Which countries are affected?
Most countries are now free of polio. The risk of polio is greatest in Asia and Africa.2
-
What are the symptoms?
Fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck and pain in the limbs.1,3
-
How serious is the disease?
Polio can be fatal. Severe polio causes paralysis of the legs and arms, and sometimes of the muscles used to breathe.1,3
-
Can I reduce the chances of catching the disease?
You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:
- Visit a travel health clinic to assess the risks of the planned trip and get advice about available vaccinations and further precautions.
Click here to find your nearest travel health clinic and make an appointment: https://www.reisemedizincheck.at/en/find-a-travel-health-service - Vaccinations are essential in the fight against polio.1
- Visit a travel health clinic to assess the risks of the planned trip and get advice about available vaccinations and further precautions.
Reference
26 May 2025
- World Health Organization. Poliomyelitis. Available online: https://www.who.int/health-topics/poliomyelitis#tab=tab_1 (Last accessed May 2025)
- The Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Available online: https://polioeradication.org/about-polio/where-we-work/ (Last accessed May 2025)
- Gesundheit. GV.AT. Polio. Available online: https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/lexikon/p/lexikon-poliomyelitis (Last accessed May 2025)
26 May 2025
Find a clinic