Seventeenth meeting of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication

Dates and Venue: 25-27 September 2024, Kathmandu, Nepal

Participants: WHO South-East Asia Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication (SEA-RCCPE) members, Representatives of National Certification Committees for Polio Eradication (NCCPEs), National Containment Task Force, Ministry of Health (Nepal), donor and partner agencies (USAID, US-CDC, UNICEF), WHO HQ, EMRO, WPRO, Country Office for Nepal and WHO-SEARO

Overview: The meeting's purpose was to review the annual reports submitted by NCCPEs and to draw a conclusion on the region's polio-free status. 

Outcomes: The WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia organized the meeting. The SEA-RCCPE reviewed NCCPE reports from ten Member States. The Secretariat presented Myanmar's annual report. The SEA-RCCPE concluded that the SE Asia Region remained polio-free with no evidence of wild poliovirus circulation during the review period. However, it highlighted the risk of importation of WPV1 and cVDPVs, especially type 2. The Commission noted the cVDPV2 outbreak in Indonesia with the most recent paralysis case on June 15, 2024. Indonesia's response included nationwide vaccination campaigns using nOPV2.

The SEA-RCCPE also noted the progress made in the region in terms of containment and polio transition. The Commission noted the Global Certification Commission's outlook on global certification requirements for cVDPVs

The Commission acknowledged significant progress in maintaining polio-free status and provided general and country-specific recommendations to strengthen the polio program further.

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Author: Sudhir Joshi, echnical Officer Polio Endgame, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia 

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Photo: SEA-RCCPE meeting in progress © WHO SEARO