[The global eradication of polio by the year 2000]

The World Health Organization wants to attain global eradication of poliomyelitis in the year 2000. In all countries commissions are installed to document polio-free certification. Four activities are considered vital by the WHO to achieve this goal: (a) strict surveillance of all suspected cases of poliomyelitis, (b) close clinical and virological examination of all children younger than 15 years with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), (c) laboratory surveillance of poliovirus isolates and (d) surveillance of sewage. The Netherlands has been selected as example country for the certification process. However, the AFP surveillance is not yet optimal, therefore all physicians are asked to join in the effort.