Control of poliomyelitis in Africa

In Africa, an estimated 168,000 children are disabled by poliomyelitis every year. With the use of lameness surveys to estimate incidence before immunization, surveys to measure vaccination coverage, and surveillance to monitor disease trends, poliomyelitis control in Yaound é, Cameroon; The Gambia; and Abidjan, Ivory Coast was examined. Three doses of oral poliovirus vaccine have been administered to 50%-70% of the children. The incidence of poliomyelitis has decreased significantly. Oral poliovirus vaccine administered during the first year of life has been effective in controlling poliomyelitis in tropical Africa.