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A new paradigm for international disease control: lessons learned from polio eradication in Southeast Asia
J K Andrus1, A B Thapa, N Withana
1World Health Organization Southeast Asia Regional Office, New Delhi, India. andrusj@whosea.org
Objectives:
This study evaluated the impact of international coordination on polio eradication in Southeast Asia.
Methods:
Active surveillance systems for acute flaccid paralysis were assessed. Analyses focused on surveillance proficiency and polio incidence.
Results:
Ten countries coordinated activities. Importations occurred and were rapidly contained in China and Myanmar. Countries that have been free of indigenous polio transmission for at least 3 years include Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand. In the remaining endemic countries--India, Nepal, and Bangladesh--poliovirus transmission has been substantially reduced; however, these countries still harbor the world's largest polio reservoir.
Conclusions:
Unprecedented international coordination in Southeast Asia resulted in dramatic progress in polio eradication and serves as a paradigm for control of other infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.