Revolutionizing Polio Surveillance: How KRAKEN™ Delivers Real-Time Detection in the Field
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under five years of age. Despite tremendous progress toward eradication, polio continues to pose a threat in some parts of the world (CDC, 2025). Poliovirus is currently circulating in parts of Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and select countries in Europe, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Yemen, and several others.
What is Polio?
Polio spreads primarily through person-to-person transmission via the fecal–oral route and, less often, through contaminated food or water. While waterborne outbreaks can occur, most cases are linked to direct contact — often when hands are not washed properly — which is why contaminated water is considered a less frequent source of transmission.
Once inside the body, the virus multiplies in the intestine and can invade the nervous system, potentially causing irreversible paralysis. In severe cases where respiratory muscles are affected, polio can be fatal.
Most infected individuals never show symptoms but can still transmit the virus, which makes surveillance and prevention efforts essential. When symptoms do appear, they may include fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, sore throat, or stiffness in the neck and back.
Global Efforts to Eradicate Polio
In 1988, the World Health Assembly launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) — a historic collaboration led by national governments, WHO, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and later joined by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Since then, wild poliovirus cases have decreased by more than 99% — from an estimated 350,000 cases in over 125 endemic countries in 1988 to just 6 reported cases in 2021. Two of the three strains of wild poliovirus (type 2 and type 3) have been declared eradicated, leaving wild poliovirus type 1 endemic in some countries.
This remarkable progress is one of global health’s greatest achievements — but it also highlights the need for sustained efforts. As long as the virus exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere. (WHO, 2025)
How the KRAKEN™ System Can Help
The KRAKEN™ system offers a groundbreaking approach to strengthening the last mile of polio eradication.
Early Detection: Detects poliovirus in wastewater before clinical cases appear, enabling faster intervention.
Rapid Response: Supports targeted vaccination campaigns and public health measures to prevent outbreaks.
Field-Deployable: Rugged design works in urban centers and remote, underserved areas.
Autonomous Operation: Reduces need for constant supervision and eliminates delays from transporting samples to labs.
Fast Results: Provides on-site results within hours, faster than traditional surveillance methods.
Mobile Dashboard: Lets public health teams monitor viral activity remotely, track trends, and make data-driven decisions in real time.
Worker Safety: Minimizes exposure to potentially contaminated samples.
Supports Eradication: Improves surveillance, closes gaps, accelerates outbreak response, and advances global polio eradication efforts.
