20 October 2006
The world poliovirus certification body, the Global Certification Commission
(GCC) this week declared South Africa polio free.
According to the GCC's subcommittee in Africa, the Africa Region Certificate
Commission (ARCC), there is enough evidence to support that there is no wild
poliovirus circulation in South Africa.
The ARCC is an independent body that was established by the Global
Certification Commission (GCC) to oversee the process of Polio Free
Certification in the African Region.
At its meeting on Tuesday, 17 October 2006 in Uganda, the ARCC awarded South
Africa Polio Free Certification based on the following:
* The last confirmed wild poliovirus case was in 1989. (Normally the minimum
period required since the last confirmed wild polio case and the time a country
can be said to be free of polio is three years.)
* South Africa has conducted a large number of Polio Immunisation Campaigns,
over 10 rounds in the absence of wild poliovirus.
* The Surveillance for Sudden Floppy Paralysis, that is the ongoing search
for cases which present like polio, has been at a satisfactory level for at
least three years.
* The percentage of children vaccinated with the third dose of polio vaccine
and thus protected from polio (Routine OPV3 Coverage) is high, above 80% in all
provinces.
In accepting the report, the ARCC however, emphasised and stressed the
following:
* the importance of intensifying the search for cases which present like
polio to ensure that if South Africa were to import a case of wild poliovirus
such a case would be detected promptly
* the need for South Africa to be adequately prepared to act swiftly should
a case of wild polio cases being imported into the country, to prevent the
likely spread of polio from such importations
* the importance of strengthening routine coverage, especially at district
level to ensure that every child is reached by the Immunisation Services
The ARCC was satisfied with the measures in place and the political
commitment South Africa has put into Polio Eradication.
The chairperson of the National Certification Committee Dr N. Khomo led a
four-person delegation to the Uganda meeting. The other members were Dr N
Ngcobo (Expanded Programme on Immunisation), Ms F Maimane (National
Surveillance Officer), Dr D.Magongoa (Chairperson of the National Polio Expert
Committee).
Enquiries:
Bhungani Mzolo
Cell: 072 406 8198
Cell: 084 802 1637
Issued by: Department of Health
20 October 2006
