The obliterated strain—wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3)—is one of only three wild strains of polio.
That leaves only one wild strain remaining: WPV1.
“Wild poliovirus type 3 is globally eradicated,” commission chair and vaccine expert David Salisbury declared at a celebration at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
In under-immunized populations with poor sanitation, the weakened viruses can circulate and spread just like the three wild strains.
We remain fully committed to ensuring that all necessary resources are made available to eradicate all poliovirus strains.
We urge all our other stakeholders and partners to also stay the course until final success is achieved.”.
So far, only two infectious diseases have been globally eradicated: smallpox and rinderpest, a viral disease that affects cattle. »