ERADICATION OF WILD POLIOVIRUS FROM THE AMERICA - WILD POLIOVIRUS SURVEILLANCE - LABORATORY ISSUES

The Pan American Regional Poliomyelitis Laboratory Network, developed to support the program to eradicate indigenous wild poliovirus transmi ssion in the Americas, included 10 laboratories, distributed in eight countries in the Americas, organized according to the diagnostic proce dures they regularly performed. All laboratories isolated and typed vi rus in stool specimens, several did intratypic differentiation by nucl eic acid probe hybridization, and 2 sequenced wild poliovirus isolates for molecular epidemiologic studies. High performance of the network was maintained through comprehensive training of virologists, continuo us monitoring of laboratory performance, and prompt investigation of p roblems. Recommended field and laboratory procedures were regularly re viewed and revised to optimize sensitivity, specificity, and diagnosti c efficiency. Close integration of field and laboratory surveillance w as achieved through frequent meetings between virologists and epidemio logists, effective communication of program priorities, and the distri bution of weekly surveillance reports.