The World Health Organization has declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea, urging for an immediate vaccination campaign as samples of the virus were found in two healthy children during routine screening in Lae. With less than half of the population immunized against polio, the potentially deadly disease has resurfaced in some parts of the world despite being close to eradication.
Dr. Sevil Huseynova, WHO’s representative in Papua New Guinea, emphasized the urgency to address the outbreak and prevent its spread beyond borders. Polio, caused by the poliovirus, primarily affects children under five years old and spreads through contact with infected individuals’ bodily fluids. Although most cases are asymptomatic, severe cases can lead to paralysis and life-threatening complications.
Papua New Guinea had been polio-free since 2000 until an outbreak in 2018, with the latest cases genetically linked to a strain circulating in Indonesia. Health Minister Elias Kapavore has pledged to achieve full immunization coverage by the year’s end, targeting 3.5 million individuals, primarily children under 10.
Collaboration with the WHO, UNICEF, and Australia’s government is facilitating the vaccination campaign, aiming to address disparities in coverage across the country. UNICEF’s representative in Papua New Guinea highlighted the importance of community engagement and dispelling misinformation to improve vaccination rates.
Polio has also seen resurgence in other parts of Asia, with Pakistan and Afghanistan reporting cases in recent years. The WHO has raised concerns about a potential outbreak in Gaza following the detection of the virus in wastewater, underscoring the global challenge of eradicating polio.
The ongoing battle against polio underscores the critical need for comprehensive vaccination efforts and community involvement to prevent the disease’s resurgence and ensure global health security. As Papua New Guinea intensifies its vaccination campaign, the world remains vigilant in combating polio and other infectious diseases to safeguard public health.
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