Ukrainian health officials report a polio case in an unvaccinated 12-year-old child with acute flaccid paralysis from Transcarpathia (southwest of the country) in a new report on the current polio situation in Ukraine. There is no information yet regarding the type of polio.
An epidemiological investigation was conducted after this case was reported. No further person was found to be infected with the poliovirus. The previously detected cVDPV2 cases in Ukraine in the Rivne region are not connected to the current case.
Consequences for travelers
Ukraine is now considered a category 2 in the WHO temporary poliomyelitis vaccination recommendations ("States infected with cVDPV2, with or without evidence of local transmission"):
References
Das ukrainische Gesundheitsministerium meldet einen Fall von akuter schlaffer Lähmung verursacht durch das Poliovirus. Es handelt sich dabei um ein ungeimpftes 18 Monate altes Mädchen aus der Oblast Rivne im Nordwesten des Landes. Die Eltern hatten die Impfung aufgrund religiöser Überzeugungen abgelehnt. Auch bei 6 Kontaktpersonen wurde das Virus gefunden. Die Durchimpfungsrate gegen Polio ist in der Bevölkerung sehr gering.
Polio wird durch Wasser oder verunreinigte Nahrungsmittel übertragen und kann bleibende, invalidisierende Lähmungen verursachen. Es gibt keine Behandlung, aber die Impfung ist ein wirksames Mittel zur Vorbeugung der Krankheit.
Folgen für Reisende
Personen, die sich > 4 Wochen im Land aufhalten, wird dringend empfohlen, bei Ausreise aus der Ukraine eine mind. 4 Wochen und max. 12 Monate zurückliegende Polio-Auffrischimpfung mit Dokumentation im internationalen Impfausweis zu haben. Bei Aufenthalten < 4 Wochen: Grundimmunisierung und Auffrischimpfung alle 10 Jahre.
Referenzen
Polioeradication (accessed 14.10.2021)
Hepatitis A occurs all over the world, but the risk of infection is higher in countries with poor hygiene standards. There is an increased risk in most tropical and subtropical countries, as well as in some countries in Eastern Europe and around the Mediterranean.
In recent years, there have also been increasing cases in North America and Europe, including Switzerland, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). Outbreaks in northern European countries can also occur when unvaccinated children become infected during family visits to tropical and subtropical countries. Upon return, they may transmit the virus within their care facilities.
There is a safe and very effective vaccine that consists of two injections at least 6 months apart. It provides lifelong protection after the second dose. Hepatitis A vaccination can also be given in combination with hepatitis B vaccination (3 doses required).
Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for all travellers to risk areas, as well as for persons at increased personal risk: persons with chronic liver disease, men who have sex with men, people who use or inject drug, persons with increased occupational contact with persons from high-risk areas or populations, and others.
Regular hand washing after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food. Avoidance of undercooked or raw food that is potentially contaminated with fecal material.
The most important prevention is vaccination. A very effective and well-tolerated vaccine against polio is available (inactivated (killed) polio vaccine (IPV)), which is part of the basic vaccination schedule during childhood. Combination vaccines (e.g. with diphtheria and tetanus) are also available. After basic vaccination, a booster dose is recommended every 10 years for travel to certain countries (see country page recommendations). WHO recommends a yearly vaccination for residents or long-stay visitors (minimum 4 weeks) in a country with ongoing polio infections or circulating vaccine-derived polio viruses. This recommendation not only targets individual protection, but aims to prevent the international spread of the virus.
All travellers should have completed a basic immunisation and boosters according to the Swiss vaccination schedule, LINK.
All travellers should have completed a basic immunisation and boosters according to the Swiss vaccination schedule, LINK.
Travellers should be immune to chickenpox. Persons between 13 months and 39 years of age who have not had chickenpox and who have not received 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine should receive a booster vaccination (2 doses with minimum interval of 4 weeks), see Swiss vaccination schedule, LINK.
No treatment against rabies disease exists.
Post-exposure measures:
Stroking cute pets is not a good idea; refrain from touching wild or unfamiliar or dead animals.
All travellers to places where rabies may occur and who are likely to take repeated trips to areas where rabies occurs should have a pre-exposure vaccination. In addition, pre-exposure vaccination is highly recommended for travellers at particular risk:
The shortened vaccination schedule can be proposed to most travellers: 2 shots, the first one at one month before departure if possible (minimum: 8 days before departure). A single third rabies booster vaccination is recommended before the next trip, at least after one year.
EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_DE_TBE.pdf
EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Mosquito-and-tick-bite-protection.pdf
There is a risk of arthropod-borne diseases other than malaria, dengue, chikungunya or zika in sub-/tropical regions, and some areas of Southern Europe. These include the following diseases [and their vectors]:
EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Mosquito-and-tick-bite-protection.pdf
Wichtig: Eine STI kann auch ohne oder mit nur leichten Symptomen auftreten. Auch wenn Sie sich dessen nicht bewusst sind, können Sie andere anstecken. Deshalb ist es wichtig sich testen zu lassen.
Durch Bakterien oder Parasiten hervorgerufen
Alle diese Krankheiten können geheilt werden. Wichtig ist dabei, frühzeitig zu testen und umgehend zu therapieren, um Komplikationen und v.a. weitere Übertragungen zu vermeiden.
Durch Viren hervorgerufen
0