Pakistan, May 16 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially confirmed a new outbreak of polio in Papua New Guinea, marking the country's first resurgence since being declared polio-free in 2000. Health officials have raised alarms as the virus has been detected in major cities, prompting swift response efforts.

According to AFP, WHO found traces of the virus in sewage and environmental samples in the capital Port Moresby and the second-largest city, Lae. Further testing confirmed Type 2 poliovirus in two children in Lae, indicating community transmission is underway.

WHO representative in Papua New Guinea, Sevil Huseynova, said this outbreak is particularly concerning because less than 50% of the country's children are vaccin...