The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed the polio-free status of its South-East Asia Region, while stressing the need for continued surveillance, vaccination and preparedness to prevent the re-emergence of the disease.
The development followed the 19th meeting of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication (SEA-RCCPE), an independent body responsible for reviewing progress towards maintaining the region’s polio-free status.
According to a report published by WHO, the Commission concluded that the South-East Asia Region remains free of wild poliovirus circulation, with no evidence of ongoing transmission of wild poliovirus in the region.
The region was officially certified polio-free in 2014 after meeting the required standards for the interruption of wild poliovirus transmission. WHO says all 11 countries in the region achieved certification on March 27, 2014.
Despite the progress, health authorities continue to regard surveillance and high vaccination coverage as critical to protecting the gains made against the disease.
The certification process involves assessing countries’ surveillance systems, population immunity, outbreak preparedness, containment measures and plans for managing the transition of polio programmes. The Commission also reviews annual reports submitted by national certification committees across the region.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can invade the nervous system and, in severe cases, cause permanent paralysis. Children under five years of age are particularly vulnerable, although anyone who is not adequately vaccinated can become infected.
The WHO has repeatedly stressed that maintaining a polio-free status requires sustained commitment to immunisation and disease surveillance. Certification does not mean that vaccination and monitoring efforts can be abandoned.
Globally, the eradication campaign has made significant progress, with several WHO regions having achieved certification against wild poliovirus. However, wild poliovirus transmission remains a concern in parts of the world, while outbreaks involving circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses continue to pose challenges in some countries.
For Nigeria, the development is particularly relevant as the country continues efforts to interrupt circulating variant poliovirus transmission. WHO has previously said Nigeria’s eradication programme is focused on interrupting circulating variant type 2 poliovirus transmission and strengthening efforts towards its 2026 targets.
Health experts have continued to emphasise that vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect children against polio. Maintaining strong routine immunisation programmes, identifying cases quickly and ensuring rapid response to suspected outbreaks remain important components of eradication efforts.
The latest assessment from the South-East Asia Regional Certification Commission therefore represents an important milestone in the global fight against polio, but WHO’s continued emphasis on surveillance and immunisation highlights the need to protect the progress already achieved.
As the global eradication campaign moves closer to its ultimate goal, sustained political commitment, adequate funding, strong health systems and public participation in vaccination programmes will remain essential to ensuring that polio does not return to communities that have successfully eliminated transmission.
