What to know about polio virus

Poliovirus mainly spreads when material contaminated with infected stool reaches the mouth, particularly where hand hygiene or sanitation is inadequate. It can also spread through contaminated food or water.

Many poliovirus infections cause no symptoms. When illness is noticeable, polio can present with fever, tiredness, headache, vomiting, sore throat, or stiffness and pain in the neck, back, or limbs.

In severe disease, the virus can damage nerve cells that control muscles. This may produce sudden weakness, reduced reflexes, difficulty swallowing, or breathing problems. New weakness after relevant travel or contact deserves urgent assessment even if the earlier illness seemed mild.

Check that childhood and travel immunisations are current before visiting a place where poliovirus is circulating. A healthcare professional can identify whether a booster or catch-up doses are appropriate from your age, destination, and vaccination record.

Wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet or changing nappies and before preparing food. If exposure or infection is suspected, contact a medical service before arriving, describe recent travel and vaccination history, and follow isolation or testing instructions. There is no medicine that removes poliovirus; care supports breathing, comfort, movement, and recovery according to the effects present.

Call emergency services for sudden limb weakness, inability to stand, choking, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or rapidly weakening muscles. These signs require immediate neurological and breathing assessment.

Arrange prompt clinical advice for fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, or limb pain after travel to an area with poliovirus activity or close contact with a suspected case. Give the healthcare team advance notice so it can plan infection-control measures.

Discuss whether your immunisation record is complete, whether your itinerary changes vaccine advice, what testing follows a suspected exposure, and which weakness or breathing changes require emergency action.