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Antananarivo, May 23, 2025 — The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the end of the polio epidemic in Madagascar, a significant public health milestone for the island nation. The announcement comes after no new polio cases were reported since September 2023, signaling the successful containment of an outbreak that began in 2020.
The epidemic, which primarily threatened children under five and unvaccinated adults, reached its peak in September 2023 with 287 confirmed cases. In response, Madagascar’s government, working through its Emergency Operations Center, joined forces with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to launch a series of emergency vaccination campaigns. These efforts successfully reached over 19 million people nationwide with life-saving polio vaccines.
“This success proves that with political will, strong partnerships, and community involvement, polio epidemics can be rapidly brought under control,” said Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, WHO Acting Regional Director for Africa. He emphasized the importance of maintaining these efforts to prevent any future outbreaks.
The coordinated response not only halted the spread of the virus but also demonstrated the effectiveness of rapid, large-scale vaccination campaigns in combating infectious diseases.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by UNI and the World Health Organization as of May 22, 2025. For the latest updates and official guidance, please refer to the WHO and Madagascar’s Ministry of Health.
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