Harare – Zimbabwe is strengthening its capacity to detect and respond to poliovirus with the establishment of a new Environmental Surveillance  unit in its National Polio Laboratory. This milestone marks a significant boost to the country’s public health infrastructure, allowing for earlier detection of poliovirus and more effective outbreak response efforts.

With support from World Health Organization (WHO) and by a grant from the Gates Foundation, the new ES unit will enhance Zimbabwe’s ability to test wastewater samples for poliovirus, providing critical data on virus circulation even before clinical cases emerge. The combined support of both institutions, along with the dedicated efforts of Rotarians on the ground, has facilitated the procurement of specialized equipment, the training of laboratory personnel, and the implementation of stringent protocols to ensure accurate and reliable test results.

Environmental surveillance is a proven tool in polio eradication efforts, helping countries quickly identify and contain potential outbreaks.

Recognizing the progress made by the Zimbabwe National Polio Laboratory, an official commissioning ceremony of the environmental surveillance laboratory took place this week at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe. The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from WHO, Gates Foundation, eHealth Africa, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and the University of Zimbabwe. 

This commissioning marks a significant milestone in strengthening Zimbabwe’s laboratory network, ensuring that the country remains equipped to detect and respond to poliovirus threats effectively. The commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to global standards will further solidify the laboratory’s role in Africa’s polio eradication efforts.

Previously, Zimbabwe relied on sending environmental samples to regional laboratories for testing, which delayed results and response times. With its own environmental surveillance unit now operational, the country will benefit from faster detection and improved decision-making in the fight against polio.

“Ensuring high-quality polio diagnostics is critical in detecting and responding to any traces of polioviruses. A significant milestone in 2024 was that all 16 Polio Laboratories in the WHO African Region successfully underwent accreditation visits and received full accreditation, marking a consistent improvement in laboratory quality and demonstrating the countries robust laboratory capacity. The laboratories have dedicated experts working tirelessly to uphold global (WHO) standards. Continuous investment in quality assurance and innovation will keep us on track toward a polio-free future.” - Dr Jude Kfutwah, WHO AFRO labs coordinator.

​Zimbabwe National Polio Laboratory’s Accreditation Journey

As one of the 16 accredited polio laboratories in the WHO African Region, the Zimbabwe National Polio Laboratory has been instrumental in detecting variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), with 45 isolates found in wastewater between August 2023 and December 2024. 

Additionally, in January 2024, a 10-year-old girl was diagnosed with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) caused by cVDPV2, marking the first human case in the country during that period. These findings underscore the importance of robust surveillance and vaccination campaigns to prevent further transmission.​

The lab received full accreditation in 2022 to conduct virus isolation and intratypic differentiation techniques, which entail detecting and identifying different types of polio. As part of its continued efforts, it was also recommended to set up environmental surveillance to track the virus in water and sewage.

By 2024, significant progress had been made in refurbishing the available space for an environmental surveillance laboratory. The works were completed in 2025 and parallel testing also completed with excellent comparison of parallel test results. The staff received training from WHO, and they have started independent test of samples with technical supervision from the regional office and the regional reference lab of NICD. In addition, WHO has put in place a quality control system for regular monitoring of the lab for timely and quality release of results. 

As Zimbabwe strengthens its polio surveillance with this new capability, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in collaboration with WHO and partners, remains committed to ensuring that no child is left vulnerable to this preventable disease. The ES unit will not only support Zimbabwe’s polio eradication efforts but will also contribute to regional surveillance, reinforcing Africa’s commitment to a polio-free future.