By Egypt has introduced new travel requirements to help prevent the spread of polio. If you’re planning to travel to Egypt from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Malawi, Mozambique, or Congo, you’ll now need to provide a polio vaccination certificate. This certificate should confirm that you’ve received the polio vaccine, whether it’s the OPV or IPV version (both are acceptable).
This decision comes as concerns grow about the global spread of poliovirus. Last month, the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee, which evaluates the worldwide poliovirus situation, expressed worries about Pakistan’s efforts to reach a significant number of children through its polio eradication campaign.
Additionally, the World Health Organization has recently stated that the risk of poliovirus spreading internationally remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). It’s important to note that there are currently no travel restrictions in Pakistan.
Several factors contribute to the risk of the international spread of Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Africa. One significant factor is the ongoing transmission in eastern Afghanistan, which has led to cross-border spread into Pakistan.
During a session chaired by the World Health Organization (WHO) director general on August 16, 2023, concerns were raised about the gaps in Pakistan and Afghanistan’s efforts to eliminate polio. It was highlighted that recent environmental samples from Peshawar and Karachi indicate a persistent risk of a polio outbreak in Pakistan.
The committee also pointed out that a new case of WPV1 was reported in Pakistan since their last meeting, bringing the total for 2023 to two cases. Both cases occurred in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. Throughout the year, at least 15 environmental samples from various locations tested positive for poliovirus.
Recently, two environmental samples from Pishin and Peshawar were found to be positive for an Afghan strain of the poliovirus.
To combat these concerns, a nationwide polio eradication campaign has been launched in Pakistan since September 25, with three phases planned across the country. The second phase is scheduled to begin on October 2, followed by the final phase from October 9 to 13. These efforts are aimed at preventing the spread of polio and protecting public health.
