Polio-free certification and lessons learned--South-East Asia region, March 2014.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Control

Background:

• Global initiative to interrupt wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission launched in 1988.
• Significant reduction in WPV cases by 2006, with only four countries remaining endemic.
• India and the South-East Asia Region (SEAR) were among the last strongholds for WPV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the steps taken for polio eradication certification in SEAR.
• To outline the specific eradication activities and lessons learned in India.
• To document the process of achieving a polio-free region within the World Health Organization (WHO).

Main Methods:

• Review of eradication activities and strategies implemented in India and SEAR.
• Analysis of the timeline and milestones leading to polio-free certification.
• Documentation of challenges and successful interventions in a large, complex region.

Main Results:

• The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) was declared free from indigenous WPV circulation in March 2014.
• India, the largest member state, had its last confirmed WPV case in January 2011.
• SEAR became the fourth WHO region certified as polio-free, following the Americas, Western Pacific, and European regions.

Conclusions:

• Polio eradication certification in SEAR demonstrates the feasibility of interrupting WPV transmission globally.
• Lessons learned from India's eradication efforts are crucial for ongoing global polio eradication initiatives.
• Approximately 80% of the world's population now resides in polio-free WHO regions.