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Polio this week

Five African countries end polio outbreaks

Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of the Congo and Uganda have successfully stopped their polio outbreaks, following rigorous independent assessments that confirmed the interruption of virus transmission. The milestone reflects years of sustained government leadership, strong surveillance, high-quality immunization campaigns and community engagement, supported by partners and donors. Continued vigilance to ensure strong surveillance and high population immunity is required to prevent future outbreaks and guard against the risk of poliovirus reintroduction.

 GPEI 3-2-1 Interview: UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell

In our latest quick-fire interview, UNICEF ED Catherine Russell makes the case that every investment in polio is an investment in stronger health systems. Drawing on her experiences in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and Somalia, she speaks about building community trust and innovating at the final mile – including why working with local partners to deliver essential health services alongside the polio vaccine is a key strategy to reach zero-dose children.

Summary of new polioviruses this week

  • Afghanistan: four WPV1 cases
  • Central African Republic: one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo: five cVDPV2 cases
  • Niger: one cVDPV3 case
  • Nigeria: one cVDPV2 case, one cVDPV3 case and one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
  • Sudan: three cVDPV2 cases
Country updates as of 19 August 2026

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

  • Four WPV1 cases were reported this week from Hirat, Kandahar and Paktika, with onset of paralysis in June and July (most recent case: 17 July 2026). The total number of cases in 2026 is 19. The total number of cases in 2025 is 21.
  • No WPV1-positive environmental samples were reported this week (most recent positive environmental sample: 24 June 2026).

  • One cVDPV2-positive environmental sample was reported this week from Region 7, collected on 15 July 2026. This is the first positive environmental sample to be collected in 2026.
  • No cVDPV2 cases were reported this week. There are four cases reported in 2026 (most recent case: 7 June 2026). There were two cases reported in 2025.

  • Five cVDPV2 cases were reported this week from Haut Lomami province, with onset of paralysis in June and July 2026 (most recent case: 11 July 2026). The number of cVDPV2 cases in 2026 is 32. The number of cVDPV2 cases in 2025 is seven.
  • No cVDPV2-positive environmental samples were reported this week (most recent positive environmental sample: 14 May 2026).
  • No cVDPV1 cases were reported this week. The number of cVDPV1 cases from 2025 is one (onset of paralysis: 25 June 2025).

  • One cVDPV3 case was reported this week from Zinder, with onset of paralysis on 28 June 2026. This is the first cVDPV3 case reported in 2026.

  • One cVDPV2 case was reported this week from Zamfara, with onset of paralysis on 11 July 2026 (most recent case). The total number of cVDPV2 cases reported in 2026 is 32. The total number of cVDPV2 cases reported in 2025 is 66. 
  • One cVDPV2-positive environmental sample was reported this week from Benue, collected on 22 July 2026 (most recent positive environmental sample).
  • One cVDPV3 case was reported this week from Borno, with onset of paralysis on 9 July 2026 (most recent case). The total number of cVDPV3 cases in 2026 is nine. The total number of cVDPV3 cases in 2025 is eight.
  • No cVDPV3-positive environmental samples were reported this week (most recent positive environmental sample: 16 July 2026).

  • Three cVDPV2 cases were reported this week from Gezira, Red Sea and North Kordofan, with onset of paralysis in April, May and June 2026 (most recent case: 10 June 2026). There are four cases reported in 2026. There were 13 cases reported for 2025. 
  • No cVDPV2-positive environmental samples were reported this week (most recent positive environmental sample: 28 February 2026).