Two out of the three strains of polio virus have been eradicated globally, following the conclusion of an independent commission of experts that wild polio virus type 3 (WPV3) has been eradicated worldwide.
Nigeria recorded the last presence of wild polio virus 1 in Africa, but World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that no wild polio virus type 1 has been detected anywhere on the continent since 2016, as the continent is set to join the polio free world.
Smallpox and wild polio virus type 2 (WPV2) have since been eradicated across the world, while the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, other stakeholders and donors battle to end the WPV1 and WPV3. The eradication of WPV3 globally represents a historic achievement for humanity.
Speaking on the success on Thursday, the Director-General, World Health Organization and Chairman, Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Polio Oversight Board, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said, “the achievement of polio eradication will be a milestone for global health. Commitment from partners and countries, coupled with innovation, means of the three wild polio serotypes, only type one remains.
“We remain fully committed to ensuring that all necessary resources are made available to eradicate all polio virus strains. We urge all our other stakeholders and partners to also stay the course until final success is achieved,” he added.
There are three immunologically-distinct wild polio virus strains: wild polio virus type 1 (WPV1), wild polio virus type 2 (WPV2) and wild polio virus type 3 (WPV3). All three strains are identical, as they cause irreversible paralysis or even death. But there are genetic and virologic differences which make these three strains three separate viruses that must each be eradicated individually.
WPV3 is the second strain of the polio virus to be wiped out, following the certification of the eradication of WPV2 in 2015. The last case of WPV3 was detected in Northern Nigeria in 2012. Since then, the strength and reach of the eradication programme’s global surveillance system has been critical to verify that this strain is truly gone.
Investments in skilled workers, innovative tools and a global network of laboratories have helped determine that no WPV3 exists anywhere in the world, apart from specimens locked in secure containment.
At a celebration event at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, chairman of the independent Global Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication, Professor David Salisbury, presented the official certificate of WPV3 eradication to Dr Ghebreyesus.
According to Professor Salisbury, “wild polio virus type 3 is globally eradicated. This is a significant achievement that should reinvigorate the eradication process and provides motivation for the final step.
“The wild polio virus type 1 remains in circulation in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. We cannot stop our efforts now, we must eradicate all remaining strains of all polio viruses.
“No wild polio virus type 1 has been detected anywhere on the African continent since 2016 in the face of ever improving surveillance. Although the region is affected by circulating vaccine-derived polio viruses, which must urgently be stopped, it does appear as if the continent is free of all wild polio viruses, a tremendous achievement.”
