Continuous surveillance needed to maintain polio-free status
Summary
Nepal must maintain continuous surveillance and strong immunization coverage to preserve its polio-free status, according to WHO South-East Asia Regional Certification Commission chairperson Prof Dr Srijana Shrestha. She warned that poliovirus anywhere in the world still poses a risk of re-entry through open borders and cross-border mobility.
Key Points
- Prof Dr Srijana Shrestha called for continuous surveillance to maintain Nepal’s polio-free status.
- She said routine immunization must reach every child, especially in remote and high-risk areas.
- AFP surveillance and regular data review are needed for rapid detection and response if poliovirus appears.
- She urged preserving surveillance, lab, immunization, and outbreak-response capacity for all vaccine-preventable diseases.
