Virologic surveillance and progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1995-September 1998.

In 1988, the Regional Committee of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) of the World Health Organization (WHO) resolved to eliminate poliomyelitis by 2000. Substantial progress toward polio eradication has been achieved in the region. Surveillance for cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and examination of stool specimens from AFP cases for the presence of poliovirus provide critical data to target supplemental vaccination activities. This report summarizes the progress in AFP and poliovirus surveillance in EMR from 1995 through September 1998 and highlights the importance of virologic investigations to determine whether viruses isolated represent indigenous transmission, importations, or laboratory contamination.