Africa Battles Resurgence of Polio: Advanced Sequencing Technology Offers Hope

Despite being declared polio-free in 2020, Africa faces a renewed threat: the intense spread of type 2 variant poliovirus (cVDPV2). This year alone, 23 African countries have reported 290 poliovirus detections, highlighting the urgent need for robust detection and response mechanisms.

Advanced Sequencing: A Powerful Tool in the Fight Against Polio

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), and the Gates Foundation have joined forces to equip and train laboratories across Africa with advanced Sanger sequencing technology. This innovative method allows scientists to pinpoint genetic changes within poliovirus strains, providing critical data for:

• Tracking Transmission Pathways: Understanding how the virus spreads geographically.
• Monitoring Viral Evolution: Identifying mutations and potential for increased virulence.
• Early Detection of Emerging Threats: Swiftly recognizing new poliovirus variants.

Previously, sequencing was limited to the VP1 region of the poliovirus gene. Now, through this training, laboratories will be able to analyze the entire 5’ UTR and VP4/2 regions, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the virus.

Expanding Diagnostic Capabilities and Empowering Laboratories

“Expanding our sequencing window to the other regions of the poliovirus, alongside the VP1 region, enhanced our ability to classify cases more accurately – bringing us one step closer to polio eradication,” says Irene Turyahabwe, participant from Uganda.

Targeted training on Advanced Sanger Sequencing is underway, with South Africa hosting the first round. This knowledge transfer is essential for empowering lab personnel with the skills to operate advanced sequencing technologies and deliver timely results for public health decision-makers.

Regional Expansion and Collaborative Efforts

Following South Africa’s success, WHO plans to expand the training to key countries like Algeria, Central African Republic, and Madagascar, ensuring a wider network of laboratories equipped to handle poliovirus detection.

Furthermore, WHO is supporting 16 polio laboratories across Africa that are actively involved in environmental surveillance, testing stool and wastewater samples to track the geographic spread of the virus.

This collaborative spirit and enhanced laboratory capacity are vital for eradicating polio once and for all. Together, Africa can overcome this challenge.

Join the Fight Against Polio

Support organizations like WHO, CDC, and the Gates Foundation in their efforts to eradicate polio. Every contribution counts in protecting children’s health and securing a polio-free future.