Vaccine derived polio virus (cVDPV)

UN responds to polio outbreak

This follows the announcement by the Government of Papua New Guinea confirming circulation of the virus.

The UN, along with government authorities, has surveyed the area, collected samples and carried out laboratory tests.

“Today, as the Government declares polio outbreak as national public health emergency, WHO will provide all the necessary technical, material and logistical support to ensure that measures are in place to urgently stop this outbreak and prevent further children from lifelong polio paralysis,” said Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Papua New Guinea.