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Australian National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory annual report, 2014
Jason Roberts1, Linda Hobday2, Aishah Ibrahim2
1Senior Medical Scientist, National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria.
Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report
|September 14, 2017
Summary
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.