Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--South-East Asia Region, 1998-1999.

In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis by the end of 2000 (1). To achieve this goal, the 10 member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region (SEAR) began implementing polio eradication strategies in 1994. In 1999, most polio cases worldwide were reported in SEAR (i.e., 48% of reported polio cases and 62% of cases with wild poliovirus isolation) (2,3). This report summarizes progress in achieving high routine and supplemental vaccination coverage, the surveillance of cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), and the impact of these activities on polio eradication in the region during 1998-1999.