The World Health Organization’s Regional Center Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, has said despite extensive efforts to combat polio, the spread of Circulating Variant Polio Type 2 is largely driven by insecurity, limited healthcare access, and increased population mobility in certain countries.
Moeti revealed this in a statement made on Wednesday to mark 2024 World Polio Day which is usually commemorated on 24th October of every year.
She highlighted the importance of raising awareness and resources for the global initiative to eradicate polio.
She however noted that the region is closer than ever to achieving a polio-free status.
“This year, our region has reached significant milestones, including the notable success of Madagascar, which has now gone a full year without detecting Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 1. In Southern Africa, we marked the closure of the imported Wild Poliovirus Type 1 outbreak that was declared in 2022.
“The swift and coordinated efforts of Malawi, Mozambique, and neighboring countries—Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—also inspire optimism.
These achievements highlight the strength of joint action, the resilience of our communities, and the unwavering dedication of frontline health workers.
“Data equally bear out these results. Comparing data from 2023 and 2024 (as of 31 August for each year), detections of cVDPV1 have decreased by 96 per cent, while detections of cVDPV2 have dropped by 65 per cent in the African Region.
“It is important to recognize that countries in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel have also united to tackle a new and pressing challenge, the continued transmission of Circulating Variant Polio Type 2.
Despite substantial efforts, the virus persists in these regions, driven by factors such as insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and high levels of population movement.
She also revealed that, “In 2024 alone, 134 detections of polio type 2 (both in the environment and in affected people, as of 5th September) have been reported jointly in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria.”
Moeti, while stressing the necessity of strong political commitment in the fight against polio, highlighted the urgent need for renewed collaboration among government leaders, WHO, UNICEF, and other partners, who came together in July and August 2024 to create a coordinated plan to eradicate the variant poliovirus in affected countries.
“As a result, nearly 70 million children in high-risk areas in those countries have been vaccinated since the beginning of the year.
“Vigilance is also critical. We need to enhance surveillance, especially in underserved areas, and accelerate our response to any new detections. Equally important is the need to scale up high-quality vaccination campaigns.”
She also noted that, “The latest Independent Monitoring Board of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative report also underscores the need for enhanced community engagement. In many regions, particularly those affected by insecurity or social mistrust, it is community health workers who make the difference between success and failure. We must continue to support these local heroes, ensuring they have the resources and training required to reach every child with life-saving vaccine.”
Moeti further pointed out the advancements in polio diagnostics and sequencing technologies as a significant stride forward in eradication efforts.
“Thanks to ongoing training across Africa, particularly in South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, and Kenya, laboratory capacity has expanded. This allows for faster identification and response to outbreaks. I would like to commend these improvements, while urging us to maintain this momentum, particularly by adapting new methods to detect poliovirus earlier and more efficiently.
“Our goals are clear. We must remain vigilant through robust surveillance systems, respond rapidly with high-quality vaccination campaigns, improve routine immunization coverage, and ensure that the polio program infrastructure continues to benefit other public health priorities. Progress is real, but setbacks can occur when we lose vigilance.
“As I transition, I call on all governments, partners, and communities to recommit to this cause. Let us honor the sacrifices and dedication of the health workers, community leaders, and families who make this progress possible. Our success is not just Africa’s—it is the world’s. With sustained momentum, strong leadership, and global solidarity, a polio-free future is within our reach. Together, we can attain a polio-free world,” she asserted.