New Yorkers Visiting Israel at Risk for Polio

The New York State Department of Health today announced New Yorkers are planning to travel abroad to Israel and other countries with circulating poliovirus to get fully immunized against polio.

Recently, Israel's Ministry of Health confirmed four children had tested positive for poliovirus in Northern Israel.

Furthermore, Israel has reported widespread detection of poliovirus in wastewater systems.

This latest outbreak follows one that was detected in February 2022 when seven children tested positive for poliovirus in Jerusalem.

With the latest polio case, New York health officials have contacted their Israeli counterparts to ensure a coordinated response.

As of March 10, 2023, enhanced precautions are encouraged when visiting the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, several other central African countries, and Israel.

In the U.S., polio vaccines are available at health clinics and community pharmacies. 

Additional polio outbreak 2023 news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.