Lae, Papua New Guinea — The World Health Organization has announced a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea, prompting urgent calls for a vaccination campaign to combat the spread of the highly contagious virus. In a routine screening in the coastal city of Lae, samples of the virus were detected in two healthy children, highlighting a critical public health concern in a nation where vaccination rates remain alarmingly low.
Less than half of Papua New Guinea’s population is vaccinated against polio, a disease that has been on the brink of eradication but has made a resurgence in various parts of the world. Sevil Huseynova, WHO’s representative in the country, emphasized the need for immediate action, cautioned that the disease poses a threat beyond national borders. “We must do everything possible to achieve 100% vaccination coverage,” she stated during a media briefing on Thursday. “Polio knows no borders.”
Polio is caused by the poliovirus, which spreads through contact with the feces or respiratory droplets of infected individuals. While many infected people experience no symptoms, the virus primarily affects children under five and can lead to severe complications, including paralysis and respiratory failure. The recent cases in Papua New Guinea are linked genetically to strains circulating in Indonesia, underscoring the importance of regional vaccination efforts.
Health Minister Elias Kapavore pledged to achieve universal immunization by year’s end, stating, “There is no excuse. Polio is a serious disease.” The vaccination campaign aims to reach approximately 3.5 million children aged 10 and below across the nation. “The battle against polio starts today,” the health department announced via social media.
Supporting the vaccination drive, UNICEF and the Australian government are working alongside local health officials. Veera Mendonca, UNICEF’s representative in Papua New Guinea, noted a shocking disparity in vaccination rates, with some districts reporting as low as 8% coverage. “That is unacceptable,” she remarked, highlighting the need for community engagement to counter misinformation regarding vaccines.
The threat of polio is not limited to Papua New Guinea. Other countries in Asia have also reported recent cases, with Pakistan documenting 74 infections last year and Afghanistan registering 24. The WHO has raised alarms in light of emerging outbreaks in conflict zones, including Gaza, where traces of the virus have been identified in wastewater samples.
As health authorities mobilize to address this urgent crisis, the call to action resonates: increased vaccination coverage is not just a national priority—it is a global imperative to prevent further outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.