Polio Outbreak Confirmed in Papua New Guinea: WHO Urges Immediate Vaccination

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a new outbreak of polio in Papua New Guinea, sparking global concern and prompting an urgent call for mass vaccination.

Two children in the city of Lae recently tested positive for type 2 poliovirus, despite showing no symptoms. Further testing revealed traces of the virus in wastewater samples from both Lae and the capital city, Port Moresby—signs that the virus is actively spreading in communities.

This is the first confirmed polio outbreak in the country since 2018. Alarmingly, national immunization rates are low, with some regions reporting coverage as poor as 8%.

Experts have linked the current virus strain to one found in Indonesia, raising fears of international spread. WHO’s representative in PNG, Dr. Sevil Huseynova, warned, “Polio anywhere is a threat everywhere,” emphasizing the global implications.

In response, the government of Papua New Guinea, in partnership with WHO, UNICEF, and international donors, has launched a nationwide emergency vaccination campaign. The initiative aims to vaccinate around 3.5 million children under the age of 10.

Health officials are working closely with local communities to raise awareness and counter misinformation about the vaccine. UNICEF is supporting logistics, including vaccine supply and delivery.

Papua New Guinea’s Health Minister, Elias Kapavore, has committed to reaching full immunization coverage by year’s end. “Polio is a serious disease,” he said. “We must act fast and protect our children.