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Control of poliomyelitis in Kuwait
1Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Hospital, Safat, Kuwait.
Annals of Saudi Medicine
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Kuwait
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Poliomyelitis posed a significant public health challenge in Kuwait during the early 1960s.
- Despite initial oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) use, poliomyelitis continued to cause morbidity and mortality for two decades.
- Strengthening surveillance and vaccination strategies were crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively examine the epidemiology of poliomyelitis in Kuwait.
- To analyze the impact of vaccination programs and surveillance efforts from 1958 to 1992.
- To propose strategies for maintaining polio elimination and achieving eradication.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of poliomyelitis epidemiology in Kuwait from 1958 to 1992.
- Review of vaccination strategies, including trivalent OPV and monovalent type 1 OPV (MOPV).
- Evaluation of enhanced surveillance activities for poliomyelitis.
Main Results:
- Massive and sustained use of trivalent OPV since 1963, coupled with MOPV introduction in 1976, led to a decline in paralytic poliomyelitis.
- Paralytic poliomyelitis incidence decreased significantly, disappearing by the mid-1980s.
- No cases of paralytic poliomyelitis have been reported in Kuwait since 1986, indicating substantial disease control.
Conclusions:
- Sustained vaccination efforts and enhanced surveillance have led to the virtual elimination of poliomyelitis in Kuwait.
- A combined vaccination approach using inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and OPV is recommended for maintaining elimination and achieving eradication.
- Continuous environmental monitoring for wild poliovirus and ongoing surveillance are essential for timely intervention and preventing resurgence.
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