WHO has declared an outbreak of poliovirus in Ukraine officially closed

The country succeeded in a unique feat: interrupting transmission of the virus that threatened the lives and futures of children and the spread to other countries during the war. In October 2021, the detection of poliovirus in Ukraine prompted the declaration of a Public Health Emergency, the establishment of a working group with technical support from WHO specialists, and an immediate epidemiological investigation. Also the Ministry of Health approved an action plan in response to the outbreak that included an accelerated immunization catch-up campaign for children who had not received the required doses through routine immunization.