Poliovirus Confirmed in Papua New Guinea

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) recently reported that one Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) positive environmental sample was collected in March 2025 from Lae City, Morobe Province, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

As of April 22, 2025, GPEI reported that no associated cases of paralysis have been detected. 

Nevertheless, PNG health authorities in the country are treating this event as high risk and have officially notified the World Health Organization (WHO) through the International Health Regulations, implementing measures to address the situation.

In April 2025, the WHO announced that the spread of the poliovirus remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The WHO states that cVDPV2 poses a public health threat, affecting 27 countries across four regions.

PNG is classified as a developing nation, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean north of Australia, with a land border with Indonesia. The Indonesian government reported a polio outbreak in Aceh province, linked to cVDPV2 in 2022.

Papua New Guinea previously confirmed that poliovirus was circulating in 2018.

To alert international travelers, the U.S. CDC reissued a Global Polio Alert—Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions Travel Health Notice on April 22, 2025, regarding polio outbreaks and poliovirus detections in 38 countries, including Indonesia, but not PNG.

The CDC recommends that travelers to these areas be fully vaccinated against this severe disease.