WHO Reports Significant Progress Toward Polio Eradication in Africa
The polio eradication in Africa campaign has recorded remarkable progress, according to the [World Health Organization (WHO)] http://www.who.int. The WHO announced a sharp decline in the number of countries with active type 2 poliovirus outbreaks — from 24 in 2024 to 14 in 2025 — marking a 54% reduction in virus detections across the continent.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, made the announcement in commemoration of [World Polio Day] on October 24, highlighting this year’s theme: “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere.”
Janabi commended the continent’s progress toward polio eradication in Africa, reaffirming WHO’s commitment to ensuring that every child is protected from the preventable disease through sustained and coordinated vaccination efforts.
He noted that in April 2025, African health ministers launched a regional vaccination campaign to reach 83 million children, significantly contributing to the decline in poliovirus transmission.
By October 2025, only two countries reported type 1 cases, 14 reported type 2, and three reported type 3 poliovirus cases — a reflection of both progress and ongoing challenges in polio eradication in Africa.
According to WHO, success in polio eradication in Africa has been driven by improved cross-border collaboration, stronger disease surveillance, and enhanced laboratory capacity. Eleven WHO-supported labs have now expanded genomic sequencing, while six pilot advanced sequencing techniques to improve virus detection.
Uganda’s Sanger sequencing facility, for instance, recently achieved higher accreditation, helping track poliovirus variants more effectively.
Environmental monitoring has also improved: 98% of African countries now conduct wastewater and sewage surveillance for polioviruses, ensuring rapid detection and early response before widespread transmission.
Learn more about environmental surveillance at the [Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)]http://polioeradication.org
Between January and October 2025, 15 countries vaccinated nearly 200 million children through supplementary immunization campaigns as part of the polio eradication in Africa effort.
Thirteen countries executed synchronized cross-border campaigns, even in conflict zones such as the Horn of Africa, where four nations vaccinated over 18 million children in two rounds.
Cross-border coordination in regions like the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel has been vital in reaching remote and nomadic populations, significantly curbing polio transmission in vulnerable communities.
[UNICEF] http://www.unicef.org/immunization/polio continues to support these campaigns by supplying vaccines and assisting health workers in hard-to-reach areas.
Dr. Janabi highlighted the role of technology in boosting polio eradication in Africa. Digital innovations have enabled over 850,000 frontline health workers to be paid via mobile money systems within ten days, improving transparency and timeliness.
Geospatial mapping now helps identify missed children — especially in border areas — ensuring that vaccination coverage continues to rise.
Despite the achievements, Dr. Janabi warned that declining routine immunization rates, insecurity, and vaccine hesitancy remain major obstacles to complete polio eradication in Africa.
“The last mile is the hardest but most crucial,” Janabi said. “Ending polio requires sustained funding, political will, and collective action to reach every child, everywhere.”
He added that ending polio will also strengthen Africa’s broader health systems and improve preparedness for future disease outbreaks.
The WHO reiterated that full polio eradication in Africa is within reach — but only if all stakeholders maintain momentum. As the continent moves closer to becoming completely polio-free, the success underscores Africa’s commitment to protecting every child through vaccination and public health resilience. Visit http://gmtnewsng.com for more news.
