World Polio Day, observed on 24 October, offers an opportunity to celebrate the progress, people, and innovations bringing the world closer to eradicating poliomyelitis (polio). Since its launch in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has achieved remarkable success, reducing wild poliovirus cases by over 99% globally.
The WHO European Region, certified polio-free in 2002, has maintained its status for over two decades. However, both the Region’s polio-free certification and its contributions to global eradication continue to face new challenges. Polio vaccination coverage across the Region declined in 2024, leaving more than 450,000 babies unprotected and increasing the risk of virus circulation.
Routine surveillance detected variant poliovirus type 2 in wastewater across six countries—Finland, Germany, Israel, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom—since September 2024. The most recent positive sample was found in Germany in September 2025. Fortunately, due to adequate vaccination coverage in affected areas, no evidence of community transmission or paralytic polio cases has been recorded to date.
At the same time, variant poliovirus type 1 detected in Israel in February 2025 has been declared an outbreak. Israel’s highly sensitive poliovirus surveillance system enabled rapid detection and response. Yet, known immunization gaps persist among certain high-risk groups. Immediate steps have been taken to improve vaccination rates and address reasons for low vaccine uptake. Importantly, no polioviruses have been detected in Israel over the past two months.
“These isolated detections and the outbreak in Israel remind us of the importance of timely vaccination for all children, in all communities,” said Ihor Perehinets, Health Security and Regional Emergency Director for WHO/Europe.
“Gaps in immunization coverage leave children vulnerable and present a health security risk to our Region and beyond. We must not return to a time when polio regularly threatened lives and overwhelmed health systems. WHO/Europe stands strong with all of our Member States and partners in our commitment to eradicate all forms of poliovirus rapidly, worldwide.”
Polio eradication within reach
Polio is a highly infectious disease that can spread silently across borders. Thirty-five years ago, wild polio paralysed 350,000 children annually; this year, it has paralysed fewer than 50, reflecting the power of global collaboration. Yet, as long as the virus persists anywhere, every unvaccinated child remains at risk.
WHO/Europe, together with GPEI partners, continues to assist national and local public health authorities in surveillance, outbreak response, and immunization strengthening to prevent virus spread and sustain the Region’s polio-free status.
World Polio Day, observed on 24 October, offers an opportunity to celebrate the progress, people, and innovations bringing the world closer to eradicating poliomyelitis (polio). Since its launch in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has achieved remarkable success, reducing wild poliovirus cases by over 99% globally.
The WHO European Region, certified polio-free in 2002, has maintained its status for over two decades. However, both the Region’s polio-free certification and its contributions to global eradication continue to face new challenges. Polio vaccination coverage across the Region declined in 2024, leaving more than 450,000 babies unprotected and increasing the risk of virus circulation.
Routine surveillance detected variant poliovirus type 2 in wastewater across six countries—Finland, Germany, Israel, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom—since September 2024. The most recent positive sample was found in Germany in September 2025. Fortunately, due to adequate vaccination coverage in affected areas, no evidence of community transmission or paralytic polio cases has been recorded to date.
At the same time, variant poliovirus type 1 detected in Israel in February 2025 has been declared an outbreak. Israel’s highly sensitive poliovirus surveillance system enabled rapid detection and response. Yet, known immunization gaps persist among certain high-risk groups. Immediate steps have been taken to improve vaccination rates and address reasons for low vaccine uptake. Importantly, no polioviruses have been detected in Israel over the past two months.
“These isolated detections and the outbreak in Israel remind us of the importance of timely vaccination for all children, in all communities,” said Ihor Perehinets, Health Security and Regional Emergency Director for WHO/Europe.
“Gaps in immunization coverage leave children vulnerable and present a health security risk to our Region and beyond. We must not return to a time when polio regularly threatened lives and overwhelmed health systems. WHO/Europe stands strong with all of our Member States and partners in our commitment to eradicate all forms of poliovirus rapidly, worldwide.”
Polio eradication within reach
Polio is a highly infectious disease that can spread silently across borders. Thirty-five years ago, wild polio paralysed 350,000 children annually; this year, it has paralysed fewer than 50, reflecting the power of global collaboration. Yet, as long as the virus persists anywhere, every unvaccinated child remains at risk.
WHO/Europe, together with GPEI partners, continues to assist national and local public health authorities in surveillance, outbreak response, and immunization strengthening to prevent virus spread and sustain the Region’s polio-free status.
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