Papua New Guinea has reported a resurgence of polio 25 years after the World Health Organisation last declared the country free of the potentially deadly virus.
Environmental samples collected in PNG's two largest cities – Port Moresby and Lae – has detected the presence of type 2 poliomyelitis from the testing of wastewater in their sewage systems.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system and can potentially lead to paralysis, breathing difficulties and death.
Health minister Elias Kapavore confirmed the emergence of the disease, saying that along with its international partners, PNG government authorities are closely monitoring the ongoing situation and is working urgently to contain the spread.
"The World Health Organisation has advised us environmental samples collected in Lae and in Port Moresby that there are some cases of poliomyelitis, polio virus again in our country," the Minister said.
A screening program detected the fast-spreading virus in stool samples from two previously healthy children.
The virus affects young children in particular, however it does also tend to impact unvaccinated people of all ages in PNG.
Less than 50 per cent of the PNG population is immunised against polio.
The discovery of traces of the virus through wastewater indicated a potential silent transmission within the population, World Health Organisation experts have confirmed.
Poliomyelitis which is largely asymptomatic first carries mild symptoms including a sore throat and a fever with severe headaches, neck stiffness and paresthesia occurring in worse cases.
About three out of every four individual cases can be of serious concern in PNG.
The Health Minister is fearing the confirmed clinical cases may trigger an outbreak declaration from the department, with children under five years of age at the highest risk of infection.
Mr Kapavore will be in constant talks with the PNG government on actions the nation will be required to undertake based on medical advice.
"We are working closely with World Health Organisation, the (Australian) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and our partners to address this matter," he said.
In response to the emerging situation, the Department of Health is prioritising a complete review of all available data, strengthening its disease surveillance, and preparing to implement required public health measures.
The Department of Health is urging its citizens to remain calm, to rely only on official information from the department and its partners through the PNG government, and to avoid spreading unverified reports.
