The World Health Organization says Africa has made significant progress towards eliminating polio, but warns that rising detections of poliovirus types 1 and 3 remain a concern.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has reported a 33 per cent decline in polio detections across the region since 2024, following the vaccination of more than 168 million children between January and September 2026.
In a social media post marking World Polio Day, observed annually on October 24, WHO Africa highlighted the progress made in protecting children against the debilitating viral disease while warning that the fight against polio is not yet over.
“This World Polio Day and every day, Africa is making progress towards a polio-free future!” the organization stated.
The latest figures underscore the impact of vaccination campaigns across the continent, which remain central to efforts to interrupt poliovirus transmission and prevent children from developing paralysis caused by the disease.
However, WHO Africa cautioned that rising detections of poliovirus types 1 and 3 remain a significant concern, highlighting the need for continued vigilance despite the overall decline in detections.
The organisation emphasised that stronger disease surveillance, faster responses to detected cases and sustained commitment from governments and health partners are essential to maintaining progress.
“Stronger surveillance, faster response and sustained commitment are essential to protecting every child,” WHO Africa said.
Surveillance systems help health authorities identify poliovirus circulation early, including through environmental monitoring and the investigation of suspected cases, enabling public health teams to respond before the virus spreads further.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under five years of age. Although it can be prevented through vaccination, infection can cause irreversible paralysis in some cases.
World Polio Day provides an opportunity to renew global efforts towards eradication, raise awareness about the importance of immunisation and mobilise support for vaccination programmes.
WHO Africa’s latest update highlights both the progress achieved through mass immunisation and the work that remains to ensure every child is protected.
The organisation’s message is clear: maintaining high vaccination coverage, strengthening surveillance and responding rapidly to new detections will be critical to achieving a polio-free Africa.
The World Health Organization says Africa has made significant progress towards eliminating polio, but warns that rising detections of poliovirus types 1 and 3 remain a concern.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has reported a 33 per cent decline in polio detections across the region since 2024, following the vaccination of more than 168 million children between January and September 2026.
In a social media post marking World Polio Day, observed annually on October 24, WHO Africa highlighted the progress made in protecting children against the debilitating viral disease while warning that the fight against polio is not yet over.
“This World Polio Day and every day, Africa is making progress towards a polio-free future!” the organisation stated.
The latest figures underscore the impact of vaccination campaigns across the continent, which remain central to efforts to interrupt poliovirus transmission and prevent children from developing paralysis caused by the disease.
However, WHO Africa cautioned that rising detections of poliovirus types 1 and 3 remain a significant concern, highlighting the need for continued vigilance despite the overall decline in detections.
The organisation emphasised that stronger disease surveillance, faster responses to detected cases and sustained commitment from governments and health partners are essential to maintaining progress.
“Stronger surveillance, faster response and sustained commitment are essential to protecting every child,” WHO Africa said.
Surveillance systems help health authorities identify poliovirus circulation early, including through environmental monitoring and the investigation of suspected cases, enabling public health teams to respond before the virus spreads further.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under five years of age. Although it can be prevented through vaccination, infection can cause irreversible paralysis in some cases.
World Polio Day provides an opportunity to renew global efforts towards eradication, raise awareness about the importance of immunisation and mobilise support for vaccination programmes.
WHO Africa’s latest update highlights both the progress achieved through mass immunisation and the work that remains to ensure every child is protected.
The organisation’s message is clear: maintaining high vaccination coverage, strengthening surveillance and responding rapidly to new detections will be critical to achieving a polio-free Africa.
