Poliovirus Type 2 Detected in Lusaka

The Ministry of Health, through Acting Minister Cornelius Mweetwa, has confirmed that poliovirus type 2 was detected in an environmental sample from Lusaka District during routine surveillance with local and international partners.

Minister Mweetwa said, “Laboratory analysis has verified the presence of poliovirus type 2, which indicates active circulation within the community, even though no cases of paralysis have been confirmed so far.”

He described the development as a serious public health concern, adding, “The Southern Africa sub-region remains on high alert following recent detections in Malawi linked to prior transmission in Zimbabwe.”

The Minister also noted that the Lusaka isolate closely matches a strain previously identified in Namibia and linked to Angola, highlighting ongoing regional transmission. “This finding underscores the need for urgent measures to prevent potential outbreaks,” he said.

In response, the government has activated emergency measures, including intensified surveillance, expanded community awareness campaigns, and vaccination drives targeting high-risk children, regardless of prior immunisation. Routine immunisation services are also being strengthened to safeguard the population.

Health authorities are urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and for communities to report any suspected cases of paralysis immediately.