Australian National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory annual report, 2014
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EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. I. Collection of Virus Samples
Published on: March 28, 2015
Jason Roberts1, Linda Hobday2, Aishah Ibrahim2
1Senior Medical Scientist, National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria.
Insights
Australia maintained its polio-free status in 2014 through acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. The surveillance system effectively monitored non-polio AFP cases, meeting World Health Organization (WHO) performance criteria.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Australia monitors polio-free status using acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in children under 15, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- AFP cases are reported to surveillance systems, with specimens sent for enterovirus testing to confirm polio absence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on Australia's polio surveillance data for 2014.
- To assess the sensitivity of Australia's AFP surveillance system against WHO criteria.
- To identify non-polio enteroviruses associated with AFP cases.
Main Methods:
- Surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases in children under 15.
- Virological investigation of faecal specimens by the National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory.
- Analysis of reported AFP case rates against WHO performance criteria.
Main Results:
- No cases of poliomyelitis were reported in Australia in 2014.
- Australia reported 1.4 non-polio AFP cases per 100,000 children, meeting WHO sensitivity standards.
- Enterovirus A71, echovirus 6, and echovirus 7 were identified in AFP cases.
Conclusions:
- Australia's AFP surveillance system is sensitive and effective in monitoring polio-free status.
- Non-polio enteroviruses remain a significant cause of AFP in Australia.
- Global polio cases remain concentrated in endemic countries, necessitating continued international vigilance.
Abstract:
Following the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation, Australia conducts surveillance for cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in children less than 15 years of age as the main method to monitor its polio-free status. Cases of AFP in children are notified to the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit or the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance System and faecal specimens are referred for virological investigation to the National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory. In 2014, no cases of poliomyelitis were reported from clinical surveillance and Australia reported 1.4 non-polio AFP cases per 100,000 children, meeting the WHO performance criterion for a sensitive surveillance system. Non-polio enteroviruses can also be associated with AFP and enterovirus A71 and echovirus types 6 and 7 were identified from clinical specimens from cases of AFP. Globally, 359 cases of polio were reported in 2014, with the 3 endemic countries, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan, accounting for 95% of the cases. In May 2014, the WHO declared the international spread of wild poliovirus to be a public health emergency of international concern and has since maintained recommendations for polio vaccination of travellers from countries reporting cases of wild polio.
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