Polio Outbreaks Remain a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

As 2024 comes to a close, health leaders say it has been challenging for polio eradication, as there has been an increase in the transmission of wild poliovirus in the last two endemic countries.

For example, Pakistan reported six WPV1 cases last week, bringing the total number of cases for 2024 to 55.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on October 17, 2024, that from January 2023 to June 2024, 74 cVDPV outbreaks were detected in 39 countries, with 672 confirmed acute flaccid paralysis cases.

Additionally, new and high-profile outbreaks have emerged. Despite these difficulties, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) wrote in November 2024 that the global commitment to eradicating polio remains stronger than ever.

To refocus polio vaccination efforts, the World Health Organization recently confirmed that the spread of the poliovirus remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

For example, poliovirus has been detected in wastewater systems in Germany, Poland, and Spain since September 2024.

To alert international travelers of their polio risk, the CDC reissued a Global Polio Alert - Level 2 Travel Health Notice in August 2024 regarding polio outbreaks and poliovirus detections in 37 countries.

The CDC recommends that travelers speak with a vaccine expert before visiting these counties about completing their initial polio vaccinations or obtaining a booster for enhanced protection.

In the United States, polio vaccines are generally available in 2024 at health clinics and pharmacies.