22 - 26 May 2006
World Health Assembly:

26 May 2006 – Noting that the number of countries with indigenous poliovirus transmission is at a historic low of four, and that outbreaks in re-infected countries have been systematically stopped or slowed , the World Health Assembly (WHA) this week recognized that significant progress has been made during the past year towards  polio eradication and resolved to support the final stages. 

The policy-setting body of the World Health Organization, the WHA studied the Report on poliomyelitis eradication and adopted a resolution calling for increased focus on interrupting transmission in endemic areas (those which have never interrupted polio transmission), adherence to rapid response standards in case of importation of poliovirus and technical advice on planning for a post-eradication world.

In their comments, Member States unanimously acknowledged the progress in further restricting the circulation of indigenous polioviruses. At the beginning of this year, Egypt and Niger marked 12 months without indigenous poliovirus transmission, leaving Nigeria , India , Afghanistan and Pakistan as the only remaining polio-endemic countries in the world.  In the latter three , poliovirus is restricted to a handful of high-risk districts.

The WHA also recognized that importations of polio had been dealt with swiftly and effectively, with a total of 31 cases linked to imported poliovirus reported in 2006 to date, compared to 105 cases at the same time last year.

Delegates pointed, however, to the risk to all countries as long as poliovirus circulates anywhere, voicing particular concern over the increase in the incidence of polio in northern Nigeria – which has trebled over the same period last year – and the need to successfully implement the new strategies being proposed to increase vaccination coverage in that country.

Member states – both polio-affected and polio-free – renewed their commitment to the eradication programme and called for sustained financial and political support. Mass polio immunization activities needed to stop the virus everywhere are threatened by a shortfall of US $85 million in 2006 and $400 million for 2007-2008. 

In his report to the WHA, written the day before his sudden death, WHO Director-General Dr. LEE Jong-Wook had said, "Some have questioned whether polio eradication is possible. Let there be no doubt. We can do it. And we will." Member States fully supported Dr. Lee's statement by endorsing an enhanced global effort to finish eradication and requesting that the WHO provide further guidance on policies for a post-eradication world.

In his closing remarks to the WHA Plenary on 27 May, Dr Anders Nordström, WHO Acting Director-General, remembered Dr LEE and his determination to see polio eradication completed. "In his memory, and in honour that all of that he stood for, let us commit with absolute dedication to see that goal quickly accomplished."