Poliomyelitis situation update

The European Region was declared polio-free in 2002. Since then, renewed circulation of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) and outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) has been observed globally. In the European Region, there was an increase in the detection and reporting of VDPV (vaccine-derived poliovirus) in environmental samples compared with previous years. cVDPV cases from genetically linked strains were reported in the US and Israel. In the UK, cVDPV strains genetically linked to strains detected in the US and Israel were detected through environmental sampling and prompted a supplementary vaccination campaign in infected areas. These events highlight the potential for international spread of polioviruses, including in EU/EEA countries.