WHO says vaccine-derived poliovirus detected in Papua New Guinea
Bengaluru: The World Health Organisation said on Tuesday that
circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus
type 2 (cVDPV2) had been detected in stool specimens of two healthy children in Papua New Guinea on May 9.
The detection of wild poliovirus or vaccine-derived poliovirus, including from samples taken from healthy children, is considered a serious public health event, WHO said in a statement.
It added that the detection of circulating type 2 poliovirus was classified as a "polio outbreak".
Wild polio is only endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but vaccine-derived polio continues to cause outbreaks in a wider range of countries.
For example, this year, countries including Nigeria and Ethiopia, among others, have reported tens of cases of paralysis caused by polio.
This is the first polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea since 2018, when an outbreak was reported in the same area as the new detections, Lae city in Morobe province.
Vaccination protects against all forms of polio, but coverage rates in Papua New Guinea are only around 44% for the third dose needed for protection, the WHO said.
Efforts are now underway to detect further transmission and boost vaccination coverage in the affected area.
Poliomyelitis, which is spread mainly through the faecal-oral route, is a highly infectious virus that can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis and death in young children, with those under 2 years old most at risk.
In nearly all cases it has no symptoms, making it hard to detect.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Covid-19 India Cases 2025 Live Updates: Active cases near 7,000-mark; 104 fresh cases in Delhi
Covid-19 Cases in India News Live Updates: The fresh spike in Covid-19 infections continues in India as the number of active cases in the country stood at 6,815 on Wednesday morning, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. While the number of active cases in the country nears the 7,000-mark, 7,644 people have recovered so far from the infection this year. Three new Covid-related deaths were also reported in the 24-hours ending Wednesday, taking the total number of deaths this year to 68. Worst-hit states amid rise in Covid cases: While a slight uptick in active cases was recorded in almost all states, Kerala continues to report the highest number of Covid-19 cases in 2025, with the active caseload standing at 2,053 on Wednesday morning. According to Centre's Covid-19 dashboard, states like Gujarat, West Bengal, Delhi and Maharashtra have also reported fairly high number of active cases this year. Surge driven by Omicron variant: The recent surge in Covid-19 cases across the country is driven by new Omicron sub-variants such as JN.1, NB.1.8.1, LF.7, and XFC, with increased transmissibility but milder symptoms, as compared to other variants. The WHO currently classifies these as 'Variants Under Monitoring' — not of concern yet, but requiring caution. Meanwhile, SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, has not disappeared, but it no longer behaves like an unpredictable emergency — rather, it has become part of a recurring cycle of illnesses, similar to the flu.
India.com
6 hours ago
- India.com
Meet World's Most Dangerous Animal, It's NOT A Tiger Or A Lion; Kills 725,000 Annually; One Bite Can Be Fatal... Check Top 10 List Of Animals Deadliest To Humans
photoDetails english Updated:Jun 11, 2025, 07:00 AM IST Meet World's Most Dangerous Animal 1 / 11 Meet World's Most Dangerous Animal: Today, let's check out top 10 list of Animals Deadliest To Humans. You will be surprised to know which one tops the list based on several reportrs online. Take a small guess? Hint: It's not who you think it is! Mosquitos (Culicidae family) 725,000 – 1,000,000 deaths per year 2 / 11 According to Discover Wildlife, as far as number of humans killed every year, mosquitos by far hold the record, being responsible for between 725,000 and 1,000,000 deaths annually. Can you imagine this tiny insect being labelled as the most dangerous animal ever! Well, that's why truth is stranger than fiction. Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika virus, which collectively cause millions of deaths and illnesses worldwide. Humans (homicides only) - kills 400,000 humans per year 3 / 11 Yes! Hard to digest but besides the deadly mosquitos, the most deadly animal is ourselves - Humans. Homicides account for an estimated 431,000 human deaths a year, making us by far the deadliest mammals, as per Discover Wildlife. Snakes - kills 138,000 humans per year 4 / 11 The most common human deaths from snakes occur from venomous bites, however, with the lucky left dealing with amputations and 'other permanent disabilities' according to the WHO. Dogs (rabies) - kills 59,000 per year 5 / 11 Man's best friend can be a deadly enemy too. BBC'S Science Focus states World Health Organisation (WHO) finding reading, 'dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99 per cent of all rabies transmissions to humans.' It is transmitted by saliva via bites, scratches, and direct contact with infected areas on the dog. Assassin Bugs (Chagas disease) - kills 10,000 humans per year 6 / 11 Assassin bugs are a primary spreader of the deadly Chagas disease. A terrible disease that attacks the heart, digestive system, and nervous system according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). It can be transmitted from mother to baby through the placenta during pregnancy. Scorpions - kills 3,300 humans per year 7 / 11 With over 2,600 species of the arachnid, only around 25 carry a powerful enough toxin to kill humans. Crocodiles - kills 1,000 humans per year 8 / 11 The ferocious animal causes up to 1,000 reported fatalities a year, as per Science Focus. Elephants - kills 600 humans per year 9 / 11 Elephants typically kill humans by trampling. One blow from an elephant is enough to kill, and around 500 deaths a year are caused in this way. Hippos - kills 500 humans a year 10 / 11 Hippos kill an estimated 500 deaths annually (as compared to only 22 for lions), hippos are deadly land mammals. Lions - kills 200 humans per year 11 / 11 The most deadly-looking king of jungle - Lions stalk in small groups, circling around their prey before going in for the kill. As per BBC Science Focus, nearly 200 humans are killed every year by the big cats.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Average Indian's Daily Salt Intake Double WHO's Recommendation
New Delhi: Home-cooked meals continue to dominate the Indian diet, accounting for approximately 80% of total salt consumption. Cultural practices and culinary preferences, particularly in northern states, have driven the average daily salt intake to over 12 grams — more than double the recommended limit of less than 5 grams (about one teaspoon) per day, as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Nutrition. This excessive intake escalates the risk of hypertension and related health complications. High salt consumption is a leading contributor to elevated blood pressure, increasing the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disorders. Alarmingly, around 175,000 deaths annually in India are attributed to high salt intake, primarily due to its role in exacerbating hypertension. These issues were highlighted on Tuesday at a national workshop organised in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives, aiming to address hypertension through healthier dietary habits and salt reduction strategies. Dr Ritika Samadar, chief clinical nutritionist at Max Healthcare, Saket, emphasised that 80% of salt intake originates from home-cooked dishes or additional table salt. Common items such as pickles, pappads, chutneys, salads and buttermilk significantly contribute to daily salt consumption. The remaining intake stems from restaurant meals, street food and packaged products, including snacks and ready-to-eat items. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Rolls-Royce Of Hearing Aids (And Under $160) Top Trending News Today Learn More Undo Hidden salts in packaged goods like biscuits, sauces, condiments and snacks also play a substantial role in excessive sodium consumption. Dr Samadar debunked prevalent myths about different salt types, clarifying that pink salt, rock salt and sea salt contain sodium levels similar to regular white salt, with minimal mineral differences due to the small quantities typically consumed. She stressed the importance of using iodised salt to maintain optimal health. Dr Vijay Kher, chairman of Epitome Kidney and Urology Institute and Lions Hospital, highlighted the significance of early intervention. "If we start in early childhood, taste buds adapt to low-salt preferences, reducing the desire for excessive salty foods over a lifetime. Children don't require large amounts of salt, making early education crucial," he noted. Dr Kher emphasised the need for a multi-faceted approach, combining consumer education with structural interventions targeting food environments, involving govt bodies, regulatory authorities and the food industry. India has pledged to reduce average salt consumption by 30% by 2030, revising its earlier target of 2025 to align with the WHO's global NCD action plan. This commitment is part of the national multisectoral action plan for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and control. However, significant challenges remain, including the absence of a comprehensive national salt reduction strategy, weak regulatory frameworks, and low public awareness about excessive salt intake. Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, founder director of the Foundation of People-Centric Health Systems, stressed the need for cultural shifts and greater awareness of hidden salt sources. He advocated for policy interventions such as front-of-package warning labels, which have proven effective in reducing the consumption of high-salt, high-fat and high-sugar products. "These labels not only assist consumers in making informed decisions but compel the manufacturers to produce relatively healthier alternatives," Dr Lahariya said. He also suggested exploring higher taxation on unhealthy food products and enforcing stringent advertising regulations, particularly for content targeting children.
