Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication–Myanmar, 1996-1999

Myanmar borders polio-free countries (China, Laos, and Thailand) and countries with widespread poliovirus transmission (India and Bangladesh). Myanmar began to intensify its efforts toward polio eradication in 1996, when National Immunization Days (NIDs) were initiated. That year, wild polioviruses (one type 1 virus and two type 3 viruses) were isolated from Myanmar children with acute poliomyelitis seeking care in Yunnan Province, China. The importation of poliovirus from Myanmar into China stimulated the establishment of surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in 1996 and discussions between Myanmar and China on cross-border management of poliomyelitis eradication. This report summarizes polio eradication efforts in Myanmar, which focus primarily on supplemental vaccination activities and AFP surveillance.