A new paradigm for international disease control: Lessons learned from polio eradication in southeast Asia

Objectives. This study evaluated the impact of international coordination o n polio eradication in Southeast Asia. Methods. Active surveillance systems for acute flaccid paralysis were asses sed. Analyses focused on surveillance proficiency and polio incidence. Results. Ten countries coordinated activities. Importations occurred and we re rapidly contained in China and Myanmar. Countries that have been free of indigenous polio transmission for at least 3 years include Sri Lanka, Indo nesia, Myanmar, and Thailand. in the remaining endemic countries-India, Nep al, and Bangladesh-poliovirus transmission has been substantially reduced; however, these countries still harbor the world's largest polio reservoir. Conclusions. Unprecedented international coordination in Southeast Asia res ulted in dramatic progress in polio eradication and serc es as a paradigm f or control of other infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.