WHO Confirms Polio Outbreak in Papua New Guinea, Launches Emergency Vaccination Drive
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea and is calling for urgent nationwide action to stop the spread of the highly infectious disease. The announcement comes after routine screenings detected poliovirus in two symptom-free children in the coastal city of Lae.
Health authorities are now racing to vaccinate millions, as less than half of the country’s population is currently immunized against polio — a disease nearly eradicated globally but now making a worrying return in some regions.
Speaking at a press conference, Dr. Sevil Huseynova, WHO’s representative in the country, warned of a potential international spread if swift action is not taken. “Polio knows no borders,” she said, emphasizing the need for 100% vaccination coverage.
Polio primarily affects children under five and spreads through contaminated feces or respiratory droplets. While most infected individuals show no symptoms, a small percentage can develop severe complications, including permanent paralysis or even death when breathing muscles are affected.
Papua New Guinea was considered polio-free until a brief outbreak in 2018. This latest resurgence has been linked to a strain originating from neighboring Indonesia, which shares a land border with Papua Province.
Health Minister Elias Kapavore has pledged to achieve full vaccination coverage by year’s end. “There is no excuse… Polio is a serious disease,” he stated. The new immunization campaign aims to reach 3.5 million children aged 10 and below.
In a Facebook post, the Health Department declared, “The battle on polio starts today,” as the campaign begins in full force. The effort is being supported by WHO, UNICEF, and the Australian government.
UNICEF’s country representative, Veera Mendonca, highlighted stark disparities in coverage, with some districts reporting rates as low as 8%. She stressed the importance of engaging community leaders and churches to combat vaccine misinformation.
Polio has reappeared in several regions across Asia in recent years. In 2024, Pakistan reported 74 cases and Afghanistan 24. The WHO has also flagged potential outbreaks in conflict zones like Gaza, after traces of the virus were detected in wastewater.
As Papua New Guinea confronts its latest health crisis, the global health community is watching closely — and responding decisively — to keep polio from regaining a foothold.
