The World Health Organization (WHO) verified Australia as polio-free in 2000. The event of a poliovirus detection due to wild poliovirus (WPV) or circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV) is considered a national public health emergency. This needs a rapid and high-quality response.
On 13 June 2024, we published a new version of the Poliovirus Detection Outbreak Response Plan for Australia. We consulted with relevant stakeholders to update the plan and prepare Australia for possible outbreaks of infection with WPV or cVDPV.
The plan explains the roles and responsibilities for stakeholders involved in disease surveillance and control if there is a:
- confirmed or probable WPV or cVDPV case
- detection of WPV or cVDPV in wastewater
- high-risk laboratory exposure incident in Australia.
Stakeholder groups include:
- Australian Government agencies
- state and territory health departments
- advisory committees
- organisations
- clinicians.
The Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) endorsed the updated plan, which also supports:
- the Australian National Framework for Communicable Disease Control
- Australia’s Emergency Response Plan for Communicable Disease Incidents of National Significance (CD plan)
- the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Standard Operating Procedures for responding to a poliovirus event or outbreak.
Visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website to learn more and read the plan.