News
Polio: Public Health Emergency of International Concern
An update on the polio Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
NaTHNaC email service: Travel vaccine certificate enquiries
Email service for health professionals and travellers
Factsheets
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a potentially paralysing viral infection that only occurs in humans
Polio vaccination certificate
How to complete an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) for polio
Topics
Polio
Poliomyelitis is a potentially paralysing, vaccine preventable, viral infection transmitted through food or water contaminated by infected human faeces or by direct contact with an infectious person
Outbreaks
CVDPV2 in Togo
In the week ending 25 February 2026, one case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was confirmed in Togo. This is the first reported case of cVDPV2 in Togo since 2022. Please see our Topics in Brief article for more details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Zambia
As of 22 February 2026, the Zambia Ministry of Health reported a cVDPV2-positive environmental sample from Lusaka. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
Omaheke
CVDPV2 in Namibia
As of 18 February 2026, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reported two cVDPV2-positive environmental samples from Omaheke and Khomas, collected on 7 January 2026. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Malawi
As of 28 January 2026, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reported two linked cVDPV2-positive environmental samples from Southern Province collected on 8 December 2025. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Mali
As of 28 January 2026, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reported one case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) from Ménaka. The onset of paralysis was 3 October 2025. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
WPV1 in Germany
Two wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) positive environmental samples have been reported from Hamburg on 7 and 13 October 2025. These samples are from the same collection site as the previously-reported WPV1-positive environmental sample collected on 6 October 2025. The isolates are closely genetically linked. There are no associated cases of paralysis and no evidence of local community transmission. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
WPV1 in Pakistan
Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) continues to be reported in Pakistan with 30 human cases recorded during 2025. As of 7 January 2026, 36 WPV1-positive environmental samples were reported from specimens collected in November and December 2025 across the country. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Tanzania
As of 7 January 2026, two circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) positive environmental samples were reported from specimens collected on 16 December 2025 in Mwanza. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in United Kingdom
As of 12 November 2025, vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) has been detected in an environmental sewage sample collected in Yorkshire and the Humber on 16 September 2025. This is the second cVDPV2 positive environmental sample reported in the UK for 2025. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV1 in Laos
As of 16 October 2025, one circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) case was confirmed, with onset of paralysis on 3 September 2025, in Savannahket. This is the first case in Laos this year and is a new emergence. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
Oran
CVDPV1 in Algeria
As of 17 September 2025, one circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) case was reported this week, with onset of paralysis on 25 January 2025, from El Tarf. A genetically-linked cVDPV1 was also isolated from an environmental surveillance sample, collected on 17 March, from Oran. This is a new emergence. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV3 in Spain
In September 2025, a vaccine-type polio enterovirus (cVDPV3) has been detected in environmental samples at two wastewater treatment plants in Baix Llobregat (Catalonia area). Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV3 in Chad
As of 28 August 2025, one case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) was reported this week, with onset of paralysis on 20 June, from Chari Baguirmi. This is the first cVDPV3 in the country this year. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio
CVDPV1 in Israel
Between February and July 2025, nine genetically linked circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 1 (cVDPV1) positive environmental samples were reported from seven sites in Israel, mainly in Jerusalem and the Central Region. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Germany
In the week ending 6 August 2025, eight circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2)-positive environmental samples were reported in Germany; one from Baden, three from Bayern, one from Rheinland, and three from Sachsen. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Central African Republic
On 25 March 2025, one environmental sample of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was confirmed in Central African Republic. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV3 in Cameroon
As of 16 July 2025, one circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) case was reported this week, with onset of paralysis on 30 May 2025. Laboratory investigations are ongoing to determine its origin. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
National Capital
CVDPV2 in Papua New Guinea
As of 16 July 2025, six circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) positive environmental samples have been reported from Morobe and National Capital. These samples were collected on 26 May 2025. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
Djibouti
CVDPV1 in Djibouti
As of 20 June 2025, eight circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) positive environmental samples, collected in February, March and April 2025, were reported from Djibouti and Arta. These are the first cVDPV1 isolates reported from the country. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Burkina Faso
As of 14 May 2025, one case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been reported from Fada, with onset of paralysis on 30 March 2025. This is the first human case reported in Burkina Faso since 2023. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Israel
As of 28 March 2025, circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2) was detected in one environmental sample collected on 29 January 2025. This virus is genetically linked to virus originating in Nigeria. It is not closely related to multiple detections in wastewater in Europe since September 2024 and is unrelated to the strain currently in Gaza. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Poland
As of 26 February 2025, one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample was reported from Masovian, Poland. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
VDPV2 in United Kingdom
As of 10 January 2025, a further vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) has been detected in an environmental sewage sample from London collected in December 2024. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
VDPV2 in Australia
As of 23 December 2024, vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) was identified in routine wastewater sampling in the Melbourne metropolitan area. This is likley to be link to someone who received a live polio vaccine overseas. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in South Sudan
As of 18 December 2024, a total of nine cirulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases have been reported in 2024. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
VDPV2 in Finland
On 9 December 2024, vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) was reported to be detected in wastewater samples in Tampere. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Poland
As of 20 November 2024, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been detected in an environmental sample from Warsaw. This sample is linked to the cVDPV2 oubreak originating in Zamfara, northern Nigeria. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV3 in Guinea
Three cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) have been reported from Kankan, Guinea, with onsets of paralysis in July, August, and September 2024. These are the first cVDPV3 cases reported in this country. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
CVDPV2 in Djibouti
As of 23 October 2024, one positive circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) environmental sample has been reported in Djibouti. The sample was collected in September, making it the first in the country since May 2022.
CVDPV3 in French Guiana
As of 9 October 2024, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) has been detected in three environmental samples collected in May, June and August 2024. This is the first time cVDPV3 has been reported in French Guiana.
CVDPV2 in Spain
As of 9 October 2024, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been detected in an environmental sample from the Barcelona metropolitan area, Catalonia. This is the first time cVDPV2 has been reported in Spain.
CVDPV2 in Ghana
As of 11 September 2024, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been detected in an environmental sample in this country.
