Polio outbreak contained with 90% coverage

Namibia has recorded 90% vaccination coverage during its recent polio outbreak response.

Health officials disclosed the figure at a national evaluation meeting in Windhoek on Monday.

Dr Richard Banda, the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, said the country’s swift and coordinated response significantly curtailed transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).

“The results speak for themselves: more than 90 per cent coverage achieved,' Banda said.

Namibia confirmed its first case on 13 November 2025 during environmental surveillance in Rundu in the Kavango East region. Additional detections were later recorded in Gobabis and Windhoek, raising concerns about wider transmission.

Deputy minister of health Suzan Ndjaleka said the virus was detected seven times in environmental samples taken nationwide, with the last detection recorded on 4 March.

She said this was "an encouraging indication that our response measures have been effective".

Remain vigilant

The outbreak was linked to a strain circulating in neighbouring Angola.

In response, authorities activated their national incident management system and rolled out multiple vaccination campaigns targeting children under 10 years of age.

These included a 'Round Zero' campaign in Kavango East and West, three nationwide campaigns, and sub-national immunisation drives in Khomas and Omaheke.

Health authorities credited the success to coordinated efforts between government, frontline health workers, and international partners, including WHO, Unicef and Rotary.

“You are the heroes and heroines leading Namibia’s effort to stop transmission,” Banda told health workers, praising extensive door-to-door vaccination, community engagement and surveillance strengthening. WHO also provided financial and technical support amounting to approximately N$76.6 million (US$4.64 million), alongside deployment of personnel.

Despite progress, officials warned that the risk of resurgence remains. “As long as poliovirus continues to circulate anywhere in the world, every country remains at risk,” Ndjaleka said. “Disease knows no borders, and our collective vigilance must never waver.”