Facility-Associated Release of Polioviruses into Communities-Risks for the Posteradication Era

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Jul;25(7):1363-1369. doi: 10.3201/eid2507.181703. Epub 2019 Jul 17.

Abstract

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative continues to make progress toward the eradication target. Indigenous wild poliovirus (WPV) type 2 was last detected in 1999, WPV type 3 was last detected in 2012, and over the past 2 years WPV type 1 has been detected only in parts of 2 countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan). Once the eradication of poliomyelitis is achieved, infectious and potentially infectious poliovirus materials retained in laboratories, vaccine production sites, and other storage facilities will continue to pose a risk for poliovirus reintroduction into communities. The recent breach in containment of WPV type 2 in an inactivated poliovirus vaccine manufacturing site in the Netherlands prompted this review, which summarizes information on facility-associated release of polioviruses into communities reported over >8 decades. Successful polio eradication requires the management of poliovirus containment posteradication to prevent the consequences of the reestablishment of poliovirus transmission.

Keywords: accidental release; biological; containment; laboratory infections; polio; poliomyelitis; poliovirus; reemerging infectious disease; vaccine-preventable diseases; viruses.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biohazard Release / statistics & numerical data*
  • Disease Eradication
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Laboratories
  • Poliomyelitis / epidemiology*
  • Poliomyelitis / prevention & control
  • Poliomyelitis / virology*
  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated / adverse effects
  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral / adverse effects
  • Poliovirus* / classification
  • Poliovirus* / immunology

Substances

  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated
  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral