A World Polio Day statement published by WHO’s Ethiopia office on October 24 calls for sustained vaccination and surveillance as the country responds to circulating variant poliovirus. The partners report 11 type 1 variant cases during 2026; these are year-to-date figures, not 11 newly announced infections occurring Saturday.

The statement describes a planned response targeting roughly 11.35 million children in five regions. Most of the intended recipients are younger than five, with children under ten included in West Shewa. Campaign rounds are scheduled for November 20–23 and December 18–21.

Earlier rounds in Gambella and neighboring areas reached more than one million children, according to the partners. The forthcoming campaign is also intended to identify children who have missed routine vaccination and connect them with those services. Its target population should not be mistaken for doses already delivered.

The statement distinguishes circulating variant poliovirus from wild poliovirus and emphasizes the remaining risk despite earlier progress. Partners identify vaccination coverage, community participation and coordinated surveillance across borders as continuing priorities rather than declaring that all polio transmission has ended.