The emergency committee of the International Health Regulations (IHR) has met for the seventh time and assessed that the international spread of polio continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). They also expanded the temporary recommendations to outbreaks of circulating vaccine derived poliovirus, due to the importance of stopping all types of poliovirus as we near the finish line of polio eradication. Learn more about cVDPVs. The statement from the emergency committee can be found here.
In 2015, wild poliovirus transmission is at the lowest levels ever, with fewer cases reported from fewer areas of fewer countries than ever before. In 2015, 57 wild poliovirus cases have been reported from two countries (Pakistan and Afghanistan), compared to 305 cases from nine countries during the same period in 2014.
On November 27 – 29, heads of governments, staff and experts from 53 commonwealth nations will gather in Malta to discuss shared global priorities at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Commonwealth leadership on polio has brought the disease within touching distance of eradication. Now is the time to reaffirm support and wipe the disease off the face of the earth. Sustained political and financial commitment from all countries remain critical to finishing the job to eradicate polio for good.