GPEI leadership in endemic countries:  polio eradication and strengthening health systems go hand in hand

Last week, the Polio Oversight Board (POB) of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) met with programme and public health leaders in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Leaders from Rotary International, WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and KSRelief met with frontline health workers, religious leaders, government representatives, donors and partners, to underscore the urgent need to eradicate polio while protecting essential health services.  Throughout the visits, the message that emerged was very clear:  end polio and strengthening health systems go hand in hand.  With sustained commitment and support, efforts can protect children, strengthen communities and advance health security across the region.

New outbreak response standards to stop polio faster

As the world moves closer to polio eradication, stopping outbreaks quickly and decisively has never been more important. To reflect evolving epidemiology, new scientific evidence and years of operational experience, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has updated its outbreak response Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).  The updated SOPs sharpen how countries detect, assess and respond to poliovirus outbreaks — with a particular focus on the type 2 outbreaks that now account for most global transmission. They introduce clearer outbreak definitions, stronger risk assessment, and more tailored response strategies, helping programmes close immunity gaps faster and prevent outbreaks from becoming prolonged.  For a high-level overview of polio outbreaks and how to stop them, partners at the UN Foundation have developed a short explainer fact sheet here.

Summary of new polioviruses this week: 

• Afghanistan :  four WPV1 cases and 12 WPV1-positive environmental samples
• Pakistan:  one WPV1-positive environmental sample
• Chad:  one cVDPV2 case
• DR Congo:  two cVDPV2 cases
• Ethiopia:  two cVDPV1 cases
• Madagascar:  two cVDPV1-positive environmental samples
• Nigeria:  one cVDPV3 case
• South Sudan:  one cVDPV1 case