Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s happening with polio in Papua New Guinea right now? 
   The poliovirus has been found in environmental samples, meaning it was detected in wastewater at two environmental sampling sites, Lae and Port Moresby. The virus has also been detected in the stool samples of two healthy children in Lae. These samples were taken from children from the catchment area of the environmental sampling site that tested positive for poliovirus. This means the country is experiencing a polio outbreak. The poliovirus detected in PNG is closely related to a poliovirus circulating in Indonesia since 2022, highlighting cross-border risks.
    
2. What is polio and why is it dangerous? 
   Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It mainly affects younger children and can lead to permanent paralysis or even death. There is no cure for polio — only prevention through vaccination.
    
3. What does it mean that the virus was “detected in the environment”? 
   Poliovirus type 2 has been detected in sewage samples from Lae and Port Moresby through environmental surveillance. This is a standard procedure used to test sewage and other environmental samples for the presence of poliovirus. The current detection underlines the continued risk due to low routine immunisation coverage in PNG. The ES confirms that polio virus is circulating in the community as shown with the positive result from two healthy children.
    
4. How does polio spread from one person to another?
   Poliovirus spreads through human waste (faeces/stool), especially in places where hygiene conditions are poor. The virus enters the body through the mouth when people eat food with contaminated hands or consume food and drink water that is contaminated with faeces. The virus then multiplies in the intestine, enters the bloodstream, and can invade the nervous system, causing irreversible paralysis in a matter of hours. Infected individuals (mostly children) shed poliovirus in their stool, which can survive in the environment for several weeks and spread to other children, especially in areas of poor sanitation and low immunisation coverage.
    
5. Can adults get the disease and can adults spread the disease?
   Yes, adults can get infected with polio and spread the disease. Although polio primarily affects children under five years old, unvaccinated individuals of any age, including adults, can contract the virus. Adults can carry the virus without showing symptoms and help spread it through person-to-person contact, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
    
6. Is the virus spreading in other parts of the country too? 
   As of now, the virus has been found in environmental samples (sewage water) in Morobe Province and Port Moresby. It has also been detected in the stool samples of two children in Lae. The NDoH and PHAs are conducting active surveillance in all provinces to confirm the presence or absence of transmission in the rest of the country.
    
7. Who is most at risk from polio? 
   The poliovirus usually affects children under five years of age, particularly those with low immunity and poor immunisation status. However, the WHO risk analysis indicates that children under 10 years in PNG are at risk of infection and transmission due to low vaccination coverage for many years. Because the number of children vaccinated against polio is very low in PNG, the virus can spread very quickly, putting all children at higher risk. This is why it’s really important to get children vaccinated — to protect them from disease and stop the virus from spreading.
    
8. How can we protect our children from polio?
   There is no cure for polio. The only way to protect children is through vaccination. The vaccines are safe and effective, and when given multiple times, can protect a child for life. Polio is transmitted through faecal matter, so improved hygiene practices — particularly handwashing and proper sanitation—are key to preventing the spread of the disease.
    
9. What vaccines are available for polio prevention in PNG? 
   PNG’s routine immunisation program offers two vaccines for polio: the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV). OPV is taken orally in the form of drops. IPV is given through an injection. Both are effective, safe, and used worldwide to prevent and eradicate polio.
    
10. How can we stop this outbreak? 
    The virus cannot survive for long periods outside the human body. If the virus cannot find an unvaccinated person to infect, it will die out. If all children are fully immunised, the virus will be unable to find susceptible children to infect and will die out. The novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) will be used to vaccinate all children at risk (under 10 years). The nOPV2 can be administered orally and can protect a child for life. But as long as a single child remains infected, all unvaccinated children are at risk. The single most effective way to protect children is to get them vaccinated.
     
11. Why are we vaccinating children when we do not have a positive child paralyzed due to polio?
    While the two-polio virus positive children have not resulted in paralysis, the polo virus can change and cause paralysis approximately in 1% of infections (If 100 children are infected with the virus, one child might develop paralysis). 
    
    Polio is highly contagious and can spread rapidly, especially in under-immunized communities. In PNG, less than 50% of children are protected against polio virus due to low immunization coverage. Vaccinating children helps to stop the virus from spreading and protects the entire community.
     
12. Which age group of children is required to receive nOPV2 vaccines? 
    The WHO risk analysis indicates that children under 10 years in PNG are at risk of infection and transmission due to low vaccination coverage. Children under 10 years need to receive two doses of nOPV2 orally to effectively control the outbreak.
     
13. What is being done about the outbreak? 
    The National Department of Health (NDoH) has launched the Polio Preparedness and Immunisation Response Plan, activated the National Emergency Operations Centre, and established four strategic working groups including partners and donors (WHO, UNICEF, and DFAT). These groups will lead operational response efforts in collaboration with Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs).
    
    Morobe Province and the National Capital District, where poliovirus has been detected, are currently conducting vaccinations in the affected areas and actively searching for cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) — a key surveillance method for identifying suspected polio cases. A circular has been sent to all provinces instructing them to activate their emergency operations centres, enhance surveillance, and strengthen immunisation efforts. The government has approved 13 million Kina to support surveillance and routine immunisation activities.
    
    Additionally, WHO is providing 5.9 million Kina to support mobile outreach vaccination activities across 12 provinces in 2025. UNICEF is also providing 4.1 million PGK to 7 provinces to conduct integrated Td vaccination campaign for women girls including mobile outreach vaccination activities for children. PHAs are also encouraged to allocate their own budgets to expand immunisation coverage by identifying and vaccinating children who may have missed earlier doses. NDoH, WHO, UNICEF, and other partners are currently preparing a plan for a nationwide polio vaccination campaign. UNICEF and WHO are working closely with the government to enhance surveillance, support vaccination efforts, and ensure communities receive accurate and timely information.

VACCINATION PLANS

14. Is a vaccination campaign being planned? 
    Yes. Plans are being finalised to roll out vaccination campaigns targeting children under ten years nationwide. These campaigns will focus on stopping the spread of poliovirus.
     
15. Who will get the vaccine — and when? 
    Children under ten years across PNG will be vaccinated. Exact dates and rollout plans are to be confirmed.
     
16. What is the name of the vaccine and is it safe? 
    The vaccine is the novel oral poliovirus vaccine (nOPV2). It is safe and used in many countries to protect children from paralysis. Millions of doses are safely administered each year.
     
17. Will children need more than one dose? 
    Yes, at least two doses are needed to ensure full protection. Two doses are given with a four-week interval between them. The most important thing is to ensure every child is fully vaccinated with two doses of nOPV2 during the campaign, and that children under two years complete their routine vaccination doses. If coverage is not sufficient, polio experts may recommend additional doses to stop the virus from spreading.
     
18. What about children who already had polio vaccines in the past — do they still need this one?
    Yes. Even vaccinated children will need additional doses to boost their protection, especially during an outbreak response.
     

YOUR SAFETY AND WHAT YOU CAN DO

19. What should parents do now to protect their children? 
    Ensure your child is up to date with all vaccinations, including polio. Make sure your family is washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating meals. Follow health advice from local health authorities and attend upcoming vaccination events. Immediately report to health workers any children with sudden weakness in the limbs, fever, or difficulty moving.
     
20. Is it safe to send children to school or play in public areas? 
    Yes, it is currently safe. However, it’s essential to take precautions like getting children vaccinated and practising good hygiene, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water.
     
21. How do I know if my child is at risk? What are the symptoms? 
    Children are most at risk if they are not fully immunised. Symptoms include sudden weakness in the limbs, fever, and difficulty moving. If you notice these signs, seek medical help from your nearest health facility immediately.
     
22. What should I do if I think my child might have polio? 
    Take your child to the nearest health facility immediately.
     

FACTS AND MISINFORMATION

23. What is UNICEF and WHO doing to make sure people know the facts? 
    In addition to sharing accurate information through local health workers, media, and schools, UNICEF and WHO are working to monitor misinformation and counter it quickly. Trusted community leaders are also being engaged to help ensure families receive reliable information about polio and vaccines.
     
24. I’m worried the vaccine might not be safe — how can I trust it? 
    Polio vaccines are among the safest and most widely used in the world. They have helped reduce global polio cases by over 99% since 1988.
     

LOOKING AHEAD

25. How long will this outbreak last? 
    That depends on whether the virus continues to spread. It is important that all children under ten years receive two doses of nOPV2 and that the surveillance system is strengthened to detect the virus effectively. Right now, we are still in the early stages of response and containment.
     
26. Is this going to be like the COVID-19 pandemic? 
    No. Polio is a very different disease. It does not spread as easily as COVID-19. Polio is entirely preventable through vaccination, and vaccines are already available and widely used.