Polio Update Report
In 1979, when most of the world's children were unvaccinated against polio, Rotary took on the cause of eliminating the crippling disease by universally vaccinating every child. Today, with more than 2.5 billion children worldwide vaccinated and immune from polio, new cases have be reduced to a few per year and contained to two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.04-February-2026, World Health Organization
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Officially reported WPV1 and cVDPV cases as of 03 February 2026 Wild poliovirus (WPV) Total global WPV1 cases in 2024: 99 Total global WPV1 cases in 2025: 44 (compared with 98 for the same period in 2024)
The number of wild polio cases for 2025 as of February 3, 2026, is 44. There were 31 in Pakistan and 13 in Afghanistan.
Total global cVDPV cases in 2024: 463 Total global cVDPV cases in 2025: 225 (compared with 278 for the same period in 2024)
New wild poliovirus isolates reported this week: New cVDPV isolates reported this week: Headlines: WHO Executive Board signals renewed global unity to finish polio eradication Meeting in Geneva this week, WHO Member States reaffirmed their collective commitment to ending polio, building on the momentum of the recent global pledging moment in Abu Dhabi. Opening the EB, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: Vaccines are bringing us closer to the eradication of polio, with 41 cases of wild polio reported last year from just 24 districts in Pakistan and Afghanistan, down from 99 cases in 49 districts in 2024. Discussions highlighted continued progress in Pakistan and Afghanistan, strong regional leadership in the Eastern Mediterranean, progress in curbing outbreaks and the decisive role of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative s partnerships. Member States welcomed the Sustaining a Polio-free World strategy, underscored sustained donor engagement including new commitments from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and recognized the enduring leadership of civil society partners such as Rotary International. Addressing the Board, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy emphasized that while the world is closer than ever to eradication, focus and resolve remain essential to finish the job and secure a polio-free future. Click here for more. SAGE Polio Working Group reviews path to the endgame from vaccine strategy to post-eradication planning This week, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization Polio Working Group convened to take stock of progress toward eradication and to examine the critical decisions shaping the polio endgame. Discussions covered programme performance and governance, planning for eventual bivalent OPV cessation, advances in novel OPV and next-generation IPV manufacturing, and how evolving vaccine strategies can best protect children while safeguarding a polio-free future. The group also began formulating recommendations on the optimal role of IPV and bOPV in routine immunization as the world prepares for the final phase of eradication. Outcomes from the meeting will inform deliberations by the full SAGE on 9-12 March. Seven ways WHO s Eastern Mediterranean Region advanced polio eradication in 2025 In 2025, WHO s polio programme in the Eastern Mediterranean Region advanced critical areas of eradication despite conflict, humanitarian crisis and funding pressures. From refining strategies in endemic countries to expanding laboratory capacity and political engagement and accelerating integration with routine immunization, the year marked important progress across multiple fronts. More. Summary of new polioviruses this week:
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https://polioeradication.org/ for more information