CDC Issues Urgent Travel Warning: Polio Spreading in 32 Countries
The CDC has issued a travel warning due to polio spreading in 32 countries worldwide as cases of poliovirus continue to rise. Find out which countries are named in the advisory and the specific precautions travelers should take international trips.
32 Countries Now on Alert: Key Nations and Risks
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In March 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a level 2 travel advisory for 32 different countries across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The CDC issued the warning because the affected regions have cases of polio spreading among their populations. The following countries were named in the official advisory:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Burkina
- Faso
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- Gaza
- Germany
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Israel
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Senegal
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- United Kingdom
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
The Mayo Clinic has described the worst possible effects of contracting the poliovirus. "Polio is an illness caused by a virus that mainly affects nerves in the spinal cord or brain stem. In its most severe form, polio can lead to a person being unable to move certain limbs, also called paralysis. It can also lead to trouble breathing and sometimes death." The most severe cases can also involve intense pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, tingling or pricking sensations, muscle spasms or twitching, and muscle weakness.
However, the majority of people who contract polio won't suffer any negative effects. "Most people infected with the virus that causes polio, called poliovirus, don't get symptoms." Roughly 5% of those infected will suffer flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, stomachache, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. About 1% of people face more serious symptoms, like neck pain or stiffness, aches or stiffness in the arms or legs, severe headache, stiffness of the spine and neck, decreased reflexes, and muscle weakness.
Vaccination and Precautions: What You Need Before Travel
As part of the CDC's travel advisory, the agency provided clear guidance on how travelers can protect themselves before going on international trips to the affected countries. The warning states that, "Children and adults should be up to date on their routine polio vaccines." It also laid out what adults may receive an inactivated polio vaccine booster.
"Adult travelers may get an inactivated polio vaccine booster if they are going to a destination that has circulating poliovirus, have completed their routine polio vaccine series, and have not already received one adult booster dose."