Six cases of polio have been identified across three districts in the Atsimo Andrefana region, prompting the launch of a massive vaccination campaign.
Although Madagascar officially declared the end of its polio epidemic in May 2025, the disease persists. Since the beginning of this year, six cases have been detected in the Atsimo Andrefana region: one in the commune of Belamonty (Betioky Sud district), one in Belalanda (Toliara II district), and four in Toliara I.
According to the Atsimo Andrefana Regional Health Directorate, the four cases in Toliara I are carriers of the poliovirus, while the two patients in other districts have suffered paralysis. Active surveillance through wastewater analysis in Toliara has confirmed the presence of the virus.
“Routine vaccination remains the best shield to protect children under five against polio,” stated Lova Renée, UNICEF Madagascar’s Child Advocate, during the campaign launch at the Mahavatse Toliara Basic Health Center (CSB). Officials from the Ministry of Health, UN agencies, local authorities, and the Rotary Club International emphasized the importance of vaccinating children aged 0 to 59 months, noting that low vaccination coverage in remote areas is a key factor in the disease’s persistence.
To address vaccine hesitancy, the region is adopting a new communication strategy. “We will conduct door-to-door awareness campaigns to better convince those who are reluctant,” said Haingo Ranoharisoa, President of the National ‘Polioplus Madagascar’ Commission. These local efforts are supported by Rotary Club International, which has donated nearly $50 million globally for polio vaccination since 1988.
The vaccination campaign runs from today until August 14. Five southern regions—Atsimo Andrefana, Androy, Anosy, Atsimo Atsinanana, and Ihorombe—are conducting parallel campaigns. Approximately 2,000 teams will be deployed to vaccinate 1,173,000 children aged 0 to 5 across 7,000 fokontany in 25 districts. A UNICEF representative warned, “A single unvaccinated child poses a major risk to the entire country.”
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-11 06:39:24 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/atsimo-andrefana-la-poliomyelite.html