• A polio outbreak has been declared in Papua New Guinea following low immunization rates.
• The WHO detected the poliovirus in environmental samples and confirmed two cases in children.
• Health officials stress the urgency of vaccination campaigns to prevent the virus's spread.
• Concerns arise as vaccination coverage remains below 50% in the country.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea, citing low immunization rates among the population, which stand at less than 50%. The outbreak was confirmed after the poliovirus was detected in wastewater samples from the capital, Port Moresby, and the coastal city of Lae. Two children in Lae tested positive for the poliovirus type 2 strain, prompting an immediate health response. "Polio is a highly infectious disease, and in communities with low polio immunisation rates, the virus quickly spreads from one person to another," stated Sevil Huseynova, WHO's representative in the country, drawing attention to the crisis, according to BBC, TRT Global, and Dawn.

The situation is particularly alarming as Papua New Guinea was declared polio-free in 2000, but cases have resurfaced. The viral strain identified has genetic ties to another circulating in Indonesia, where similar outbreaks have occurred. Health Minister Elias Kapavore emphasized the necessity of a robust vaccination campaign aimed at achieving 100% coverage among children. He remarked, "Vaccination is safe and effective, and we’re acting quickly to keep children protected," reflecting a call to action for health authorities, according to BBC, TRT Global, and Dawn.

The ongoing vaccination campaign will focus on reaching approximately 3.5 million children aged 10 and under, in partnership with UNICEF and local organizations. These efforts aim to dispel misinformation and encourage community participation. "That is not acceptable," said UNICEF's Papua New Guinea representative Veera Mendonca, addressing the existing vaccination disparities in some districts where coverage has been reported as low as 8%. The spike in polio cases is echoed by similar outbreaks in other regions, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive vaccination strategies, according to BBC, TRT Global, and Dawn.