Australia, Belgium and Hungary achieve poliovirus containment certification
Global poliovirus containment efforts significantly advanced this last quarter as facilities in Australia, Belgium, Hungary, Canada, France and Indonesia were awarded Certificates of Containment by the Global Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication. These certifications confirm full compliance with the WHO Global Action Plan for Poliovirus Containment (GAPIV) and reflect growing global momentum to ensure poliovirus materials are managed safely and securely.
Applications open for 2026 Polio Advanced Course in Vaccinology
Applications are currently open for the 2026 editions of the Polio Advanced Course in Vaccinology in Doha and Dakar. Designed for early and mid-career professionals from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, the course offers a specialized training programme, networking, and tools to shape the next generation of leaders in polio. The application deadline is 27 April 2026.
Celebrating Impact on World Health Day
GPEI partners marked World Health Day on 7 April with posts celebrating the role of key donors, local partners and communities in the global polio eradication effort. The theme, “Together for health. Stand with science”, underscores how science‑driven partnerships can build a healthier, safer future for all.
Before the Outbreak: Global Dispatches Podcast on Disease Surveillance
Many of the best tools the world has to detect disease outbreaks were put in place for specific diseases like malaria and polio. Today, those platforms are used to respond to disease outbreaks of all kinds. Listen to the latest episode of the “Before the Outbreak” podcast, produced in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, featuring Dr Hamid Jafari, former Director of Polio Eradication for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Summary of new polioviruses this week:
