Why are people still getting polio in some countries and in not others? – Mia, age 9, Centennial, Colorado On a busy street in Karachi, Pakistan, a healthcare worker kneels down so she’s eye to eye with a toddler. She squeezes two drops of liquid onto the child’s tongue. Then she takes out a purple…
Brazzaville – Following rigorous technical assessments, five African countries have successfully stopped the spread of polio, marking an important milestone in efforts to protect children from this virus and advance towards eradication. Teams from the Independent Outbreak Response Assessment (OBRA) conducted separate assessments between January and June 2026, reviewing disease surveillance, laboratory and epidemiological data….
WHO explained that the transmission was interrupted through targeted vaccination campaigns, epidemiological investigations and expanded environmental surveillance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the closure of poliovirus type 2 outbreaks in five African countries following assessments that found transmission had been interrupted. The countries are Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Congo and Uganda,…
Six African football legends are urging the continent to unite and step up efforts to vaccinate every child against the life-threatening polio virus. In partnership with the UN-backed Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), they have launched the ‘Kick Out Polio’ campaign ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 which begins in Morocco on…
Geneva, Switzerland — The Boards of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) convened to further strengthen collaboration and accelerate progress toward shared goals: reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children with critical vaccines and achieving polio eradication.Dr. Omar Abdi (Vice Chair, Gavi Board) and Dr. Chris Elias (Chair, Polio Oversight Board…
Dakar — As millions of fans prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, six celebrated African footballers are calling time on polio, urging the continent to unite and kick the disease out of Africa. In partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the football legends launch the “Kick Out Polio” campaign, rallying families,…
Lusaka — African health minister have pledged renewed action to end all forms of polio and safeguard the gains of eradication that have seen millions of children across the region saved from the devastation of poliovirus. Gathering in two high-level sessions during the Seventy-fifth sessions of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa…
