Surveillance Systems to Track Progress Toward Global Polio Eradication — Worldwide, 2012–2013
Weaknesses in detecting and investigating cases of paralysis have
prevented early recognition of polio outbreaks in the Middle East, Central
Africa and the Horn of Africa in 2013 that would have allowed faster outbreak
control. To achieve and certify polio eradication, intensive efforts are needed
to strengthen and maintain AFP surveillance throughout the world, including in
field investigation and collection of specimens, particularly in countries with
current or recent active poliovirus transmission and those countries in
proximity to those countries. Polio cases are detected by searching for
paralyzed children (acute flaccid paralysis [AFP] surveillance) and testing of
stool specimens by the laboratories in a global network. The number of
countries in Africa and the Middle East meeting national performance targets
for disease detection and collection of adequate specimens declined from 27 (90
percent) in 2012 to 22 (73 percent) in 2013, primarily due to weakness in the
African Region. Subnational areas of some countries meeting performance
criteria still have severe weaknesses in surveillance. The laboratory network
is meeting standards for rapid testing of specimens and identification of
polioviruses. Intensive efforts are urgently needed to strengthen and maintain
polio surveillance globally in countries of Africa, the Middle East and Asian
subcontinent where there is current or recent active poliovirus transmission.
Polio-free areas in all parts of the world also need to maintain strong polio
surveillance.
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