Top 5 Takeaways

1. Global Surveillance Enhancements: In 2022–2023, 71.4% of 28 priority countries met national acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance indicator targets, and environmental surveillance sites increased, supporting the global polio eradication efforts.
2. Continued Wild Poliovirus Circulation: Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) transmission persisted in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with no WPV1 cases detected outside these countries since August 2022.
3. Environmental Surveillance Growth: There was an increase in environmental surveillance, with a notable expansion in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, particularly in Pakistan, to improve detection of poliovirus circulation.
4. Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Outbreaks: Circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) outbreaks were detected in 42 countries, indicating the critical importance of high vaccination coverage and surveillance.
5. Challenges and Gaps Persist: Despite progress, substantial national and subnational AFP surveillance gaps persist, highlighting the need for continuous improvement in polio surveillance and vaccination efforts.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Nishant Kishore; ynm2@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Kishore N, Krow-Lucal E, Diop OM, et al. Surveillance To Track Progress Toward Polio Eradication — Worldwide, 2022–2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:278–285. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7313a1.

Summary

This MMWR article provides an update on global polio surveillance efforts during 2022–2023, emphasizing the importance of detecting poliovirus through AFP and environmental surveillance. The report highlights the ongoing challenge of eradicating polio, with persistent circulation of WPV1 in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the detection of cVDPVs in several countries.

Methods

Data were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) Polio Information System and the Global Polio Laboratory Network, assessing AFP and environmental surveillance performance in 28 priority countries at high risk for poliovirus transmission.

Discussion

The report underscores the critical role of maintaining high-quality surveillance to achieve polio eradication. It highlights progress in some regions while identifying gaps in surveillance sensitivity, particularly in subnational areas and among priority countries.

Conclusion

High-quality surveillance is crucial for the timely detection of poliovirus and the rapid implementation of outbreak response vaccination activities. The report calls for continued monitoring and strengthening of surveillance systems to guide the global effort toward polio eradication.

This has been your booster shot of MMWR Info! Please check back for more MMWR, Public Health, and Programming Tutorial content daily.