A print friendly PDF version is available from this Communicable Diseases Intelligence issue's table of contents.

World Health Organization: Global action plan and timetable for safe handing and maximum laboratory containment of wild polioviruses and potentially infectious materials

The goal of global eradication of poliomyelitis (polio) is in sight. The number of reported cases has been reduced by more than 90% since the initiative began in 1988 and at least 155 countries are now reporting zero cases annually. The date of onset of the last case of polio associated with wild poliovirus infection in the Western Pacific Region (which includes Australia) was 19 March, 1997.

Once polio is eradicated, the laboratories of the world will be the only remaining source of the virus. Safe handling and, ultimately, maximum containment of poliovirus and potentially infectious materials in the laboratory is crucial.

In July 1998, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the above document for public comment.

The proposed plan is posted on the Internet and can be accessed at: http://www.who.ch/gpv-documents/DocsPDF/www9829.pdf

Comments on the plan should be submitted to:
Dr. David Featherstone
Global Programme for Vaccines
World Health Organization
CH-1211 Geneva 27
SWITZERLAND
E-mail: erstoned@who.ch

by 1 November, 1998.


For copies of the WHO document or further information on polio eradication, the Plan, or polioviruses please contact:
Margery Kennett,
Director,
Western Pacific Regional and Australian National Polio Reference Laboratory
Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory
Locked Bag 815
Post Office
CARLTON SOUTH, VIC, 3053
Fax: (03) 9342-2665
Telephone: (03) 9342-2607
E-mail: margery.kennett@nwhcn.org.au


This article was published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence Volume 22, No 10, 1 October 1998.