WHO Confirms Polio Outbreak in Papua New Guinea, Mass Vaccination Begins

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea, sparking immediate calls for a nationwide vaccination campaign.

Two healthy children in Lae, a city in the northeast, tested positive for the poliovirus during a routine screening. Authorities say the cases are linked to a strain circulating in neighbouring Indonesia, raising cross-border transmission concerns.

Less than half of Papua New Guinea’s population is currently immunised against polio. Health officials warn that without urgent action, the virus could spread rapidly.

“We have to do something about it and we have to do it immediately,” said WHO representative Dr Sevil Huseynova.

The virus primarily affects children under five and is highly contagious. It spreads through contact with infected faeces or droplets from coughs or sneezes.

While many infected individuals show no symptoms, the disease can still be transmitted. A small percentage develop paralysis, which can become life-threatening if breathing muscles are affected.

Papua New Guinea was declared polio-free in 2000. However, an outbreak occurred in 2018, which was successfully contained. The latest cases mark a concerning return of the virus.

Health Minister Elias Kapavore vowed to reach full vaccination coverage by the end of the year. “There is no excuse… Polio is a serious disease,” he said.

The new campaign will focus on children aged ten and below. Officials estimate 3.5 million children will be targeted in the nationwide effort.

The WHO, UNICEF, and the Australian government are supporting the vaccine rollout. But coverage remains uneven. Some districts report rates as low as 8%, far below safe levels.

UNICEF’s Papua New Guinea representative Veera Mendonca called the situation “unacceptable.” She said local churches and community leaders are being mobilised to spread awareness.

“Polio knows no borders,” said Dr Huseynova, warning neighbouring regions to remain alert.

Elsewhere, polio has also re-emerged. Pakistan recorded 74 cases in 2023. Afghanistan confirmed 24. Traces were also recently detected in Gaza’s wastewater, raising fears of a wider outbreak.

Papua New Guinea now faces a race against time to contain the virus and prevent another public health crisis.