Papua New Guinea’s Health Minister Elias Kapavore has issued a warning to residents of Port Moresby and Lae following the recent detection of poliovirus type 2 in both cities. The discovery, made through environmental testing, is sparking concern after the nation’s polio-free status was granted in 2000.
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| Papua New Guinea’s Health Minister Elias Kapavore |
Minister Kapavore confirmed that his department, alongside global partners like WHO, UNICEF, and the Australian Government, is closely evaluating the situation. He noted that top priorities include enhancing surveillance, gathering more data, and preparing for any necessary public health responses.
The Minister acknowledged that poor routine immunisation coverage has contributed to the reappearance of vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio. He urged both health professionals and families to play their part in increasing immunisation rates to prevent a possible outbreak.
He highlighted that the country’s health facilities are well-equipped with vaccines and necessary storage systems. He encouraged provincial and district health workers to ramp up coverage and awareness campaigns, stressing that responsibility must be shared between the health sector and the public.
Minister Kapavore stated that while no human polio cases have been reported, the virus was detected in sewage samples. The Department of Health is now working to eliminate the virus before it spreads, particularly to children aged five and below who are at the highest risk.
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