“We will be receiving sewage samples from Papua New Guinea (PNG) on a weekly basis to support them in their response against the recent poliovirus outbreak, as this is part of the environmental surveillance under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI),” said Technical Supervisor of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine National Polio Laboratory (RITM-NPL) Philippines Dr. Lea Necitas G. Apostol.

Last June 26, PNG declared National Public Health Emergency as the poliovirus was identified in the province of Morobe. The World Health Organization (WHO) and GPEI quickly coordinated an outbreak response to detect the virus in other areas of PNG and prevent it from spreading.

With no laboratory capacity, WHO reached out to RITM-NPL to assist PNG in testing sewage samples collected from environmental surveillance.

“To achieve the global eradication of polio our efforts must be directed to support those in need and inter-country support is one of the most valuable tools,” mentioned by WHO Representative in the Philippines Dr. Gundo Weiler in his letter for Department of Health.

In support to WHO, RITM-NPL hosted and underwent training, along with PNG laboratory staff, on the concentration method for processing sewage samples for polioviruses from September 24-26, at the RITM Training Center.

Likewise, Dr. Weiler expressed his sincerest appreciation to RITM-NPL for their “excellent contribution in maintaining polio-free status and the role it plays in the Region.”

by Allenor Enciso, Communication and Engagement Office [RITM Web Team]