Polio Health Emergency Extended Through June 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on April 8, 2024, during the 38th meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee for Polio, that the spread of the poliovirus remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The WHO committee also recommended extending the PHEIC for three more months, effective March 28, 2024, to reduce poliovirus outbreaks.

Previously, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published an interactive map in February 2024 highlighting countries that continue confirming polio or poliovirus cases in 2024.

The ECDC says poliomyelitis, or polio, is a vaccine-preventable systemic viral infection. Historically, it has been a major cause of mortality, acute paralysis, and lifelong disabilities.

However, large-scale immunization programs have eliminated polio from most areas worldwide.

All health agencies recommend that international travelers be fully vaccinated before visiting countries report polio outbreaks. 

Both inactivated and oral polio vaccines are available at clinics and pharmacies globally.

Furthermore, the U.S. CDC maintained its Global Polio Alert—Level 2, Travel Health Notice, regarding polio outbreaks and poliovirus detections in 31 countries.