Epidemiological surveillance and control of poliomyelitis in the Republic of Cuba

Abstract

Organization and performance of Poliomyelitis Epidemiological Surveillance and control in Cuba are described. Since the first vaccination campaign the average of vaccinated population is of 90% and over. Annual and cyclic epidemic peaks disappeared after oral polio vaccination. During 20 years only 7 sporadic cases were diagnosed; the last one in 1979. Surveillance of disease and immunity of infant population was carried out by clinical examination, isolation techniques for Polio and other enteroviruses and by testing neutralizing antibodies in 0-4 years of age population samples from 1963 to 1979. Satisfactory high antibody levels have been maintained up to date after using different combinations of Polio viruses in vaccines and by having regulated the dose intervals. Subsequent virologic investigation in children under age 3, from nurseries of several provincial capitals, leads us to think that there is no Poliovirus circulation in the country. Behavior of the disease and the laboratory finding indicators reveal very successful results in Poliomyelitis elimination programmes.