CDC: Action Plan Aims for Complete Poliovirus Containment

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has been making considerable progress toward eradicating poliovirus, according to a CDC report.

The work put into providing treatment and vaccines by GPEI paid off when wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) was last detected in 1999. Since WPV2 was declared eradicated in September of 2015, several countries have designated facilities to address poliovirus vaccine production and continued surveillance and research efforts, according to the report.

Plans for future polio containment is divided into 3 phases, 2 of which have already been completed, according to the report. The first phase aims to have all World Health Organization member countries and territories identify risks of infectious materials and contain strains in laboratories. This leads to the second phase, the establishment of 86 poliovirus-essential facilities in 30 countries to effectively contain and prevent another outbreak of a poliovirus strain. Phase 3 will begin after the eradication of WPV1 and WPV3 and will focus on containments for all viruses.

The researchers noted that, “Because PV2 reintroduction into communities could reestablish endemic and epidemic poliovirus transmission, it is critical for this risk to be reduced as close as possible to zero.”

Reference

Previsani N, Singh H, St. Pierre J, et al. Progress toward containment of poliovirus type 2 — worldwide, 2017. MMWR. June 23, 2017. 66(24);649-652. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6624a5.htm?s_cid=mm6624a5_w. Accessed June 28, 2017.