The eradication of poliomyelitis in Egypt: critical factors affecting progress to date.

Abstract

Poliomyelitis eradication activities in Egypt were reviewed to identify the critical factors for the progress seen by 1995 and to highlight problems that could be avoided in other countries in which poliomyelitis is endemic. National immunization and surveillance data demonstrate that the combination of high routine immunization coverage (>85%) with oral polio vaccine combined with two properly conducted rounds of national immunization days (NIDs) resulted in a 75% reduction in reported polio cases between 1992 and 1993. Available data suggest that earlier control strategies, such as single-round NIDs in 1990 and 1991, the administration of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) at 2 months of age in 1992-1993, and the use of "mop-up" campaigns while wild poliovirus was still widespread, did not contribute substantially to the recent decline in cases. Proper implementation of the World Health Organization's recommended strategies can eliminate wild poliovirus circulation in the large, densely populated tropical countries in which poliomyelitis remains endemic.

• Authors: R B Aylward, E Mansour, A O El Said, A Haridi, A Abu El Kheir, A Hassan
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 175 Suppl 1 Pg. S56-61 (Feb 1997) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9203693 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral

Topics

• Egypt (epidemiology)
• Health Priorities
• Humans
• Immunization Programs
• Incidence
• Poliomyelitis (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral