[Eradication of poliomyelitis from the American continent]

A strategy to eradicate poliomyelitis from America was developed in 1985 by the PAHO. The last case of poliomyelitis due to wild virus was detected in August 1991 in the Andean region of Peru. The main strategies used to eradicate polio are: 1) attainment of high immunization levels, 2) biannual National Vaccination Campaigns with OPV in all poliomyelitis infected countries, 3) organization in all America countries of effective surveillance of AFP, 4) setting up of a laboratory network for the isolation of the wild poliovirus from cases and contacts' stools samples and 5) the organization of a rapid response, to the occurrence of any new case with door to door vaccination (Mop-up). These strategies have been recommended by the WHO for Global Eradication of Poliomyelitis by the Year 2000. The next step in the Americas is to confirm the eradication of poliomyelitis. An ICPEC has been organized and the condition required to certify the eradication is the absence of cases of virologically confirmed indigenous poliomyelitis by a period of at least three years in the context of continued adequate surveillance. Four elements will be taken into consideration when confirming the eradication of poliomyelitis: 1) the surveillance of AFP, 2) the surveillance of wild poliovirus, 3) active searches for AFP cases in areas of risk, such as those areas with poor surveillance, or where there have been compatible cases, 4) documentation of mop-up operations in areas of risk.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)