South Africa Declared Polio Free

Issued by National Department of Health

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 October 17 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 3 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 3 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 @ 072 4068198 or
Ms Ray Mohlabi @ 084 8021637