CDC issues new polio advisory for travelers

The CDC has updated its polio travel advisory to include 30 locations where the virus was detected within the past 13 months. The expanded list reflects ongoing circulation of polio in certain regions, a virus that can cause permanent paralysis and remains a concern for unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated travelers. The advisory underscores the importance of vaccination verification before international travel, particularly as polio—once nearly eradicated globally—continues to persist in pockets around the world. The update serves as a reminder that polio remains a public health threat despite decades of vaccination campaigns. Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt infectious disease specialist, is available to discuss the epidemiological implications of the new guidance.