The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a major milestone in the fight against polio, marking steady progress in Africa polio eradication through coordinated public health campaigns and widespread vaccination drives across the continent.
Africa Sees Sharp Decline in Polio Cases
According to Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, the number of African nations battling type 2 poliovirus dropped from 24 to 14 between 2024 and 2025—a 54% decrease in virus detection. The progress was celebrated on World Polio Day under the theme “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere.”
Dr. Janabi credited Africa’s success to strengthened surveillance systems, regional coordination, and persistent polio vaccination campaigns that reached millions of children across borders.
83 Million Children Protected Through Vaccination
In April 2025, Health Ministers launched an ambitious polio vaccination campaign targeting 83 million children in multiple African countries. By October, 15 countries had immunized nearly 200 million children with at least one dose of the polio vaccine.
Coordinated efforts in regions such as the Horn of Africa, the Lake Chad Basin, and the Sahel have proven vital in reaching nomadic and border communities. Madagascar’s announcement in May 2025 that it had ended its type 1 poliovirus outbreak showcased the tangible impact of these targeted initiatives.
Boosting Surveillance and Digital Innovation
To advance Africa polio eradication, WHO-supported laboratories have expanded genomic sequencing to track virus mutations faster and more accurately. Environmental surveillance now covers 98% of African countries, monitoring wastewater for early detection.
Digital innovation also plays a key role—over 850,000 frontline workers are now paid through mobile money within 10 days, ensuring accountability and rapid response. Geospatial mapping has been instrumental in locating unvaccinated children and improving coverage rates.
Overcoming Remaining Challenges
Despite the progress, Dr. Janabi warned that declining routine immunization, regional insecurity, and vaccine hesitancy still threaten Africa’s path to full polio eradication. He emphasized that sustained funding, cross-border collaboration, and community trust are essential for the final push.
“Ending polio means strengthening our entire healthcare system—from immunization to disease surveillance,” he said. “The last mile is the hardest, but together, Africa can end polio forever.”
Africa’s collective momentum toward a polio-free continent reflects the power of unity, science, and leadership in shaping resilient public health campaigns. For more updates on Africa’s health innovations, visit travel.afrikeye.com.
This story was first reported by WHO Africa. Read the full article here.
