Australian National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory annual report, 2018

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Virology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Australia maintains polio-free status through active surveillance.
• Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in children under 15 is crucial.
• Global polio eradication efforts continue, with endemic cases in specific countries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on Australia's polio surveillance system performance in 2018.
• To assess the sensitivity of the Australian AFP surveillance system.
• To identify non-polio enteroviruses circulating in Australia.

Main Methods:

• Surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases in children <15 years.
• Notification to Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance System.
• Virological investigation of fecal specimens by the National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory.

Main Results:

• No poliomyelitis cases were reported in Australia in 2018.
• Australia reported 1.24 non-polio AFP cases per 100,000 children, meeting WHO criteria.
• Several non-polio enteroviruses (e.g., coxsackievirus, echovirus, enterovirus A71) were identified.

Conclusions:

• Australia's AFP surveillance system is sensitive and effective in maintaining polio-free status.
• The system aids in identifying other enteroviruses, contributing to public health.
• Continued vigilance is necessary given ongoing global polio cases.