Headlines 

• The World Health Assembly (WHA) convening in Geneva this week:  health ministers and leaders from around the world are convening at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss global public health policy.  Among a wide range of topics, health leaders are reviewing the global status of the polio eradication effort and evaluate steps that need to be taken to achieving lasting success.  A report on the global effort, previously presented to the Executive Board in February, is informing Member State and delegate discussions.
• Addressing delegates at the opening this year’s WHA, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “2024 was a year of mixed news for the other public health emergency of international concern – polio.  We helped to stop an outbreak of wild poliovirus in Africa, but the number of cases detected in Pakistan and Afghanistan rose from 12 in 2024 to 99 last year. Ten cases have been reported so far this year.  In response to a resurgence of polio in Gaza, WHO negotiated a humanitarian pause for a vaccination campaign that reached more than 560 000 children.”
• Madagascar outbreak successfully stopped:  the multi-year outbreak of circulating variant poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) was stopped, following rigorous outbreak response implementation led by the Ministry of Health, with support of Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners.   “The progress made in recent years in the immunization and eradication of polio is a hopeful sign. Today, polio is finally eradicated. Together, we have proved that it is possible to overcome limits and build lasting change. Let’s continue to act, raise awareness and join forces to give every child a healthy future”, said H.E. Mrs Mialy Rajoelina, The First Lady of Madagascar and immunization ambassador.  The announcement was also made at a major stakeholder event in the margins of this week’s WHA, attended by ministerial delegates from Madagascar and partners.
• In this video, Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, delivers a clear message: “Polio remains a threat — but our resolve to end it is unwavering.” As we head into the World Health Assembly, Dr Balkhy calls on the global community to stand with countries working tirelessly to end polio. The risks are real — but united, we can make polio history.

Summary of new polioviruses this week, cases and positive environmental isolates:

• Germany:  one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
• Nigeria:  one cVDPV2 case and one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
• Papua New Guinea:  one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
• Sudan:  one cVDPV2 case