Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--African Region, 1998-April 1999.

In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis globally by 2000. To achieve this goal, the African Region (AFRO) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has accelerated polio eradication strategies, but the region remains one of the two major reservoirs for wild poliovirus transmission. This report summarizes progress toward polio eradication from 1998 through April 1999 in AFRO, highlights supplementary vaccination activities (National Immunization Days [NIDs]) and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance conducted in the region, and describes plans for program acceleration (intensified NIDs and mopping-up vaccinations) to meet the 2000 eradication target.