Environmental surveillance continues to detect the virus before paralysis cases occur. Two environmental samples of WPV1 were reported in Pakistan in 2026.
Five new cases of paralysis caused by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) were also reported this week — one in Chad and four in Nigeria. Environmental samples of cVDPV2 were also detected in Malawi and Somalia.
The CDC issued a Level 2 Precautionary Alert regarding polio, recommending that travelers to countries where polio has been detected ensure they are up-to-date on polio vaccinations, including a booster dose for adults who were vaccinated years ago.
While progress continues, these updates remind us that the fight to end polio is not over. Rotary’s continued commitment through PolioPlus remains critical to achieving a polio-free world.