Editorial

POLIOMYELITIS ERADICATION – ONE STEP TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL

SUNČANICA LJUBIN-STERNAK ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb and Virology Department, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
BERNARD KAIĆ ; Epidemiology Service, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
TATJANA VILIBIĆ-ČAVLEK ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb and Virology Department, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
GORDANA MLINARIĆ-GALINOVIĆ ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb and Virology Department, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Poliomyelitis is a very old disease of humans, caused by poliovirus. With appearance of the epidemics in the 20th century, poliomyelitis
became a global public health issue. In 1988, the World Health Organization started a campaign for global eradication of
poliomyelitis and till now poliomyelitis cases have been reduced by more than 99%. In Croatia, the introduction of vaccination in
1961 resulted in dramatic reduction of paralytic disease. The European region, including Croatia was certifi ed polio free in 2002.
However, the fi nal goal of the “polio-free world” has not yet been reached. To reinforce the campaign, the global polio eradication
initiative has come up with the Polio Eradication & Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018 with detailed program how to resolve the
main challenges: (a) continued transmission of wild polioviruses in endemic reservoirs; (b) reinfection of polio-free areas; and (c)
outbreaks due to the circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV). Global oral polio vaccine cessation will follow, with the
introduction of universal use of inactivated polio vaccine.

Keywords

poliomyelitis; oral poliovirus vaccine; vaccine derived polioviruses; eradication

Hrčak ID:

142194

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/142194

Publication date:

22.7.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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