Human Poliovirus

Overview & Synopsis

Polio eradication is the global effort to permanently eliminate poliovirus and the disease it causes, poliomyelitis. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) leads this effort.While wild poliovirus cases decreasing by over 99% since 1988, the job is not yet finished. Key aspects of polio eradication include the following: Ensuring high immunization coverage with oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Robust surveillance systems, including acute flaccid paralysis surveillance to detect and respond to poliovirus circulation. Assuring polioviruses are not stored in laboratories. Rapid and effective responses to outbreaks, including vaccination campaigns. Significant funding from various sources. Only Pakistan and Afghanistan remain endemic for wild poliovirus. Two of the three wild poliovirus serotypes (Types 2 and 3) have been certified as eradicated. The Goal of Polio Eradication: Achieve a world free of all forms of poliovirus, including both wild and vaccine-derived strains.