Ethiopia Reports 33rd Polio Case in 2025

The World Health Organization states that for nearly a decade, the Horn of Africa has been battling persistent outbreaks of the poliovirus variant. Low immunity in children and unmonitored population movement have fueled the spread of poliovirus.

For example, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia recently reported four additional cases of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) from Oromiya.

According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative GPEI), on June 18, 2025, Ethiopia reported 33 cases reported in 2025.

This GPEI data compares with 43 cases reported in 2024.

The Global Polio Surveillance Action Plan 2025–2026 outlines enhanced strategies for acute flaccid paralysis and response to poliovirus transmission.

In 2025, Ethiopia strengthened its surveillance and preparedness efforts to prevent the further spread of the disease. In February, over 15 million children were vaccinated. The campaign launched in the country’s Somali region.

To alert international travelers to the risk of poliovirus in Ethiopia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) included this African country in the June 14, 2025, Travel Health Advisory.

The CDC recommends that all visitors to high-risk areas be fully immunized against this severe disease. Polio vaccines are generally available at travel clinics and pharmacies throughout the United States.