Polio, a disease that Australia successfully eradicated in 1961, has resurfaced in Papua New Guinea, raising alarms about potential risks to the Australian population. For almost four decades, concerted international eradication efforts have focused on this crippling virus. Since the World Health Organization (WHO) kicked off the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, we’ve gotten within reach of a phenomenal 99% reduction in polio cases. Polio immunization is still going very well in Australia. Recent events show that countries’ communities still are left vulnerable by surveillance gaps and vaccination campaigns.
The WHO declares that polio type 2 has been officially eradicated since 1999. On the bright side, it’s been five years without a reported case of polio type 3. However, endemic polio persists in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. So the recent environmental detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus in Papua New Guinea is concerning. Since polio can incubate as long as 35 days without any symptoms, this is an especially insidious threat.
Understanding Polio and Its Symptoms
Polio is a contagious viral disease that mainly affects children under five years old, where it can cause lifelong paralysis and even death. According to public health specialists, 95% of people who contract the poliovirus show no signs of illness. Most individuals present with flu-like symptoms. Some of those symptoms are fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, weakened muscles and headaches. All of these symptoms, which disproportionately affect non-White communities, can persist for at least two weeks after infection.
“The surveillance systems gaps for vaccine-preventable diseases, including acute flaccid paralysis — which is the gold standard for polio detection — further worsen the problem,” – Dr Huseynova.
These gaps have serious implications as they delay detection and response thereby wasting valuable time to prevent a potential outbreak.
Australia’s Immunization Efforts
Australia hasn’t seen an outbreak of polio since 1961, largely due to our robust vaccination initiatives. The country currently includes polio immunization for infants in its national routine immunization schedule. Imagine that over 90% of young children in your city were protected by this important vaccine. Although vaccination rates have dropped slightly in recent years, health experts are still cautiously optimistic.
“We’re only at risk if we have a population who’s not immune. Generally, I think our immunisation coverage in Australia is still pretty good, even though it has fallen in the last few years,” – Linda Selvey.
Selvey explains that Australia’s stringent sanitation and hygiene standards, alongside a lower population density, play a significant role in reducing risk. She emphasizes how different areas are grappling with different issues. This is particularly so in Queensland’s Torres Strait, where contact with Papua New Guinea is even more common.
“The greatest risk would be in the parts of Queensland, in particular in the Torres Strait, where there’s closer movement of people between Papua New Guinea and Australia and also where the housing and so on is less optimal,” – Linda Selvey.
The Situation in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea’s challenges in the battle against polio are tremendous. The country suffers from low immunization coverage which increases the risk of large scale outbreaks. Experts warn that while clinical cases may not be officially documented, the risk remains high due to inadequate health services.
“I’m concerned about the outbreak from the perspective of the people in Papua New Guinea in particular because they generally have very low immunisation coverage,” – Linda Selvey.
This reporting gap can result in children getting polio without it ever being reported or identified. As long as they are, there will continue to be opportunity for local surface transmission of the virus in communities.
The Australian government is doing everything it can, working hand-in-hand with Papua New Guinea, the WHO and UNICEF to help turn back this resurgence. So far, they have provided PNG’s National Polio Response Plan with tailored technical assistance and quality materials and resources.
“Australia is working closely with Papua New Guinea, the World Health Organization and UNICEF to help respond to the detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus,” – DFAT spokesperson.
