Polio this week - GPEI
Polio this week

Headlines

World Polio Day 2025 – Global Voices Unite for a Polio-free Future

“In a world that often feels divided, the fight against polio reminds us what is possible when humanity stands together.”  Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

Across every region, partners and advocates came together on World Polio Day 2025 to celebrate progress, renew commitment, and call for the final push to end polio for good. From Bill Gates and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros to frontline health workers and survivors like Ramesh Ferris, powerful stories reminded the world how far we’ve come—and how close we are to achieving a polio-free future. Events from Roosevelt Island to UNICEF HQ and beyond underscored a shared determination to finish the job, as governments, civil society, and Rotarians from around the world reaffirmed their support.

 Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity to host global pledging moment in Abu Dhabi

The high-level pledging moment will take place on 8 December, and serve as a major opportunity for global leaders to commit their support to ending polio.  The event is hosted under the leadership of His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates.

Tunshi Funsho:  Women hold the key to ending polio for good

Dr Tunshi Funsho, Rotary International’s Africa representative for polio eradication, writes in Time magazine what will ultimately lead to success.

EMRO Regional Director Hanan Balkhy:  “Now is the time to finish polio.”

In a moving video message, WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy has a clear message for all stakeholders to double efforts and achieve success to achieve a unique global good from which all countries will benefit equally.

Summary of new polioviruses this week: 

  • Pakistan:  one WPV1 case and 12 WPV1-positive environmental samples
  • Angola:  two cVDPV2 cases and one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
  • Chad:  one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
  • Nigeria:  seven cVDPV2 cases and one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
  • Papua New Guinea:  one cVDPV2 case and five cVDPV2-positive environmental samples
  • Somalia:  one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
Country updates as of 29 October 2025

More information on the countries that have reported cases and/or environmental samples this week.

  • One WPV1 case was reported this week, from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with onset of paralysis on 19 September.  The total number of cases this year is 30.  The number of cases for 2024 remains 74.
  • Twelve WPV1-positive environmental samples were reported this week, from KP, Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan, collected in September.

  • Two cVDPV2 cases were reported this week, from Cuando Cubango and Cuanza Sul, with onset of paralysis on 31 August and 10 September. There have been 14 cases reported in 2025. The number of cases for 2024 remains nine.
  • One cVDPV2-positive environmental sample was reported this week, collected on 26 June from Luanda.

  • No cVDPV2 cases were reported this week.  The number of cVDPV2 cases this year is 18. The number of cVDPV2 cases from 2024 remains 39.
  • One cVDPV2-positive environmental sample was reported this week, collected on 16 September, from N’Djamena.
  • No cVDPV3 case was reported this week. The number of cVDPV3 cases for 2025 is two.

  • Seven cVDPV2 cases were reported this week, with onsets of paralysis in June, August and September, from Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi.  The total number of cases reported this year is 44. The number of cases from 2024 remains 98.
  • One cVDPV2-positive environmental sample was reported this week, collected on 7 September, from Sokoto.

  • One cVDPV2 case was reported this week, from Enga province, with onset of paralysis on 19 September.  There are four cases reported from the country in 2025.
  • Five cVDPV2-positive environmental samples were reported this week, collected in August and September, from National Capital and Morobe.

  • No cVDPV2 case was reported this week. There have been seven cases reported in 2024 and one in 2025
  • One cVDPV2-positive environmental sample was reported this week, from Mudug GM, collected on 27 August.