Australian National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory annual report, 2021

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Virology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Australia maintains polio-free status via surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in children under 15.
• This aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for global polio eradication efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on Australia's 2021 polio surveillance data.
• To assess the sensitivity of the national AFP surveillance system.
• To identify enteroviruses detected in AFP cases.

Main Methods:

• Clinical surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in children.
• Notification to the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance System.
• Virological investigation of faecal specimens at the National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory.

Main Results:

• No cases of poliomyelitis were reported in Australia in 2021.
• Australia reported 1.31 non-polio AFP cases per 100,000 children, meeting WHO sensitivity criteria.
• Coxsackievirus A4, A10, A13, and Enterovirus A71 were identified in clinical specimens.

Conclusions:

• Australia's surveillance system effectively monitors for polio.
• The system is sensitive and capable of detecting non-polio enteroviruses.
• Continued vigilance is necessary given global poliovirus circulation.