Yasmin Bilal
A major step forward in protecting children from polio has been recorded across the continent.
Health authorities have confirmed that transmission has been stopped in five countries.
Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Congo and Uganda have now had their poliovirus type 2 outbreaks officially closed.
Independent Outbreak Response Assessment teams reviewed the five countries between January and June this year.
The teams examined disease surveillance, laboratory and epidemiological information, vaccination efforts and population immunity.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa confirmed the outbreak closures after the assessments.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi welcomed the progress, while stressing that the fight against polio is not over.
“These outbreak closures demonstrate what can be achieved through strong national leadership, dedicated health workers and close collaboration between governments, communities and partners,” Janabi said.
“While this is an important milestone, it is not the end of the journey. Continued vigilance, strong surveillance and high immunisation coverage remain essential to protect children and prevent future outbreaks,” Janabi said.
The five countries took different steps to respond to the virus, depending on their circumstances.
In the Republic of Congo, authorities strengthened surveillance and carried out vaccination campaigns after poliovirus was detected.
The country’s last detection was recorded in December 2023. Health officials have since focused on maintaining strong surveillance and improving immunity in areas considered at higher risk.
Burundi declared a circulating poliovirus type 2 outbreak in March 2023.
Authorities responded by increasing routine vaccination and surveillance with support from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
Targeted vaccination campaigns and stronger investigations helped identify and respond to cases. Environmental surveillance was also expanded.
Uganda stepped up surveillance and its outbreak response after poliovirus was detected in May 2024.
The country also strengthened co-ordination between national and local health authorities.
Ghana focused on improving its ability to detect and respond to the virus. Investment in laboratory capacity supported surveillance and quicker responses.
Ghana and Uganda both upgraded their laboratory capacity earlier this year.
In Guinea-Bissau, health authorities and partners concentrated on reaching communities that can be difficult to access.
Targeted vaccination campaigns and stronger surveillance helped improve protection among children. The country has reported no poliovirus detections since July 2021.
Mike McGovern, chair of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Polio Oversight Board and Rotary International’s International PolioPlus Committee, said each closed outbreak represented progress for children.
“Every outbreak closed means more children protected from a disease that can cause lifelong paralysis,” McGovern said.
“Rotary is proud to stand alongside governments and health workers across Africa as we continue the effort to end polio once and for all,” McGovern said.
The work has also included strengthening surveillance systems and laboratory networks across the region.
Vaccination campaigns have targeted children in hard-to-reach and border communities.
Health teams have also used mapping and geospatial technology to identify settlements that may have been missed.
The region increased investment in its polio laboratory network in 2025. This has helped improve testing and reduce the time needed to detect the virus.
UNICEF Regional Directors Etleva Kadilli and Gilles Fagninou praised the governments, communities and frontline health workers involved in the response.
“These milestones belong first and foremost to the governments, communities and frontline health workers who have worked tirelessly to protect children from polio,” Kadilli and Fagninou said.
“While outbreak closures are an important milestone, they are not the end of the work,” Kadilli and Fagninou said.
Gavi Chief Country Delivery Officer Thabani Maphosa said the investment made during the outbreak response could strengthen health services beyond polio.
“The investments countries have made in reaching missed children, community engagement, strengthened surveillance, mapping, and outbreak response will have an impact far beyond these polio outbreaks,” Maphosa said.
Despite the progress, the WHO has warned that the risk of poliovirus returning remains.
The recent detection of poliovirus in Madagascar after a previous outbreak closure showed why countries need to remain alert.
Polio is highly infectious and can cause irreversible paralysis. There is no cure, but vaccination can prevent the disease.
The closure of an outbreak means there is evidence that transmission linked to that specific outbreak has stopped.
It does not mean the country is protected from future detections or imported cases.
Continued vaccination, surveillance and preparedness will remain important as countries work towards a future free of all forms of poliovirus.