Synopsis for February 16, 2006

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

1. Resurgence of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 Transmission and Effect of Importation into Polio-Free Countries-Worldwide, 2002-2005
2. Assessing Capacity for Surveillance, Prevention, and Control of West Nile Virus Infection – United States 1999-2004
3. Enterovirus Surveillance – United States, 2002-2004
   

Resurgence of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 Transmission and Effect of Importation into Polio-Free Countries-Worldwide, 2002-2005

Nearly all of the outbreaks resulting from importations of poliovirus into polio-free areas in 2002-2005 have ended or are close to being stopped. Rapid large-scale immunization response is recommended to stop WPV outbreaks from importations and to achieve polio eradication.

Since the beginning of the global polio eradication initiative, the number of polio-endemic countries decreased from 125 in 1988 to only 6 in 2003. However, beginning in 2002, 21 previously polio-free countries were affected by importations of wild poliovirus (WPV) type 1 from remaining endemic areas, primarily Nigeria. Large outbreaks occurred in 4 of these countries (Indonesia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen). By the end of 2005, transmission in each of the 21 countries except Somalia was interrupted or markedly curtailed. The World Health Organization’s Advisory Committee on Polio Eradication recommends rapid large-scale immunization response to importations to stop WPV circulation and to facilitate polio eradication.

Assessing Capacity for Surveillance, Prevention, and Control of West Nile Virus Infection – United States, 1999-2004

No Summary Available

Enterovirus Surveillance – United States, 2002-2004

Enhanced knowledge of predominant enterovirus strains circulating in the United States is important because predominant strains change with time, and changes in strain predominance may be accompanied by large-scale outbreaks.

Enteroviruses are common viruses associated with a wide range of illnesses ranging from minor illness with fever to severe, potentially fatal conditions, such as aseptic meningitis and myocarditis. CDC monitors circulating enteroviruses to determine individual serotypes’ geographic and temporal circulation. This is important to understand because changes in predominant serotypes may be accompanied by large-scale local or regional outbreaks of enteroviral illnesses. The information from this surveillance system is frequently used by health departments? to clearly inform the public about community disease outbreaks? and appropriate prevention measures. Though geographic representation of the states has increased during the past two years to 46 states and Puerto Rico, future enterovirus surveillance would benefit from increased laboratory participation and timely reporting of results, especially by state public health laboratories.

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This page last reviewed February 16, 2006
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