Progress toward the global interruption of wild poliovirus type 2 transmission, 1999

Since 1988, when the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis globally by 2000, substantial progress has been made in attaining this goal: the Americas, the Pacific Rim, Europe, and central Asia appear to be polio-free. The remaining reservoirs where polio is endemic are confined to India and contiguous countries and to sub-Saharan Africa. In 1999, the recommended polio eradication strategies (i.e., achieving and maintaining high routine vaccination coverage with oral poliovirus vaccine [OPV]; conducting National Immunization Days [NIDs] to decrease rapid poliovirus circulation; establishing sensitive surveillance systems for polio cases and poliovirus; and carrying out mopping-up vaccination activities to eliminate poliovirus transmission) have been accelerated in most of the major reservoir countries. This report summarizes progress toward interrupting transmission of wild poliovirus type 2, which appears to be on the threshold of extinction.