WHO Emergency Committee Reviews Global Polio Situation Amid Concerns

The World Health Organization (WHO) convened the Forty-second meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) on June 18, 2025, to evaluate the ongoing global threat posed by poliovirus. This meeting was conducted via video conference and included representatives from affected countries, WHO Secretariat members, and health experts. The committee's primary objective was to assess the progress toward the eradication of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) and circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV) in light of the global targets set for 2027 and 2029 respectively.

The committee's findings revealed a troubling increase in WPV1 cases, with 13 reported cases in 2025, including 9 new cases since the last meeting—one from Afghanistan and eight from Pakistan. This is in stark contrast to the previous year's statistics, which recorded 99 WPV1 cases throughout 2024. Notably, environmental samples have also indicated a significant rise, with 275 positive samples detected in 2025, predominantly from Pakistan (245 samples) and Afghanistan (30 samples). This upward trend is particularly concerning given that the transmission of WPV1 has been geographically expanding within endemic regions.

In Pakistan, the resurgence of WPV1 has been especially pronounced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan, where the virus has spread to new districts, including Gilgit-Baltistan, which reported its first WPV1 case in over eight years. In Afghanistan, WPV1 transmission has primarily concentrated in the South Region, although there are signs of improved population immunity in the East Region. The committee expressed grave concerns regarding the ongoing risk posed by low immunization coverage and operational challenges in both countries, particularly in conducting effective vaccination campaigns.

The situation regarding cVDPV2 also remains critical, with 67 cases reported in 2025, primarily of type 2. This includes a significant outbreak in Papua New Guinea and continued transmission in Guinea, raising alarms about the potential for international spread, particularly in nations with fragile health systems.

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19, emphasized the need for enhanced vaccination efforts, stating, "The evidence suggests that the geographic spread of WPV1 and cVDPV is directly linked to immunization gaps and the ongoing humanitarian crises affecting many regions." The committee's recommendations included urgent calls for countries to declare polio transmission a public health emergency and to implement high-quality vaccination campaigns, particularly for mobile and migrant populations.

The Emergency Committee noted that the financial sustainability of eradication efforts is at risk due to a funding shortfall of nearly 40%. The committee urged donor countries to increase their support to ensure that polio eradication remains a global priority. The committee unanimously agreed that the risk of poliovirus transmission continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), recommending an extension of Temporary Recommendations for three additional months.

As nations work toward the goal of polio eradication, the committee underscored the necessity of maintaining robust surveillance systems to monitor poliovirus transmission and implement timely responses to outbreaks. The diverse challenges faced by countries, coupled with the complex epidemiological landscapes, necessitate a coordinated global response to ensure the effective eradication of poliovirus and protect vulnerable populations worldwide.