Polio is a disease that has been eradicated in Belgium, yet it is still rife in other parts of the world. For as long as the polio virus is in circulation, unvaccinated children, from any country of origin, will run a risk of contracting polio. There is no treatment against polio, vaccination is the only means of prevention.
Who is at risk of contracting polio?
- Unvaccinated children under 5
- Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people
- An infected person's or a healthy carrier's circle of friends and family (that share the same toilet, kitchen, have physical proximity, etc.)
- Refugees and asylum seekers who come from countries where the poliovirus still circulates
- People travelling to countries where cases of polio still arise