What We Do
Although polio has been eliminated from the European Region, extreme vigilance is required regarding the possible reintroduction of poliovirus. Indeed, endemic outbreaks persist around the world. The challenge is therefore to maintain high vaccination coverage in order to eradicate this disease.
Epidemiological Surveillance of Polio
Santé publique France has established a polio surveillance program based, on the one hand, on mandatory reporting (in place since 1936) and, on the other hand, on enhanced surveillance of enteroviruses since 2000, in collaboration with the National Reference Center for Enteroviruses, and supported by a network of volunteer laboratories.
Mandatory reporting
Mandatory reporting involves collecting as comprehensive information as possible regarding all cases of certain diseases known as “reportable diseases” from laboratory technicians and physicians. It involves two successive procedures: reporting and notification.
Physicians and laboratory professionals who suspect or diagnose a notifiable disease must report it immediately and by any appropriate means (telephone, fax) to the ARS physician in their area of practice. Reporting enables the early implementation of individual follow-up and collective prevention measures, including contact tracing around the case and treatment of any identified cases.
In the case of poliomyelitis, the objective is the eradication of the disease. Thus, any clinical suspicion must be reported, as well as—in the absence of a suggestive clinical context—any laboratory isolation of a poliovirus, whether it is a wild-type virus, a vaccine-derived virus, or a virus derived from a vaccine strain. Biologically confirmed cases of acute poliomyelitis, as well as any isolation of a wild poliovirus or a vaccine-derived poliovirus (excluding vaccine strains) from a human specimen, must be reported. Reporting physicians or laboratory professionals must notify the ARS physician in their area of practice using a disease-specific form. Reporting enables the analysis and monitoring of the progression of these diseases within the population in order to better target local and national prevention efforts.
Definition of poliomyelitis cases to be reported
| Reported cases | Type of notification form | Notified cases | Reporting and notification criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspected cases, confirmed cases, and any laboratory isolation of poliovirus | Simple, downloadable notification form | Confirmed cases and any isolation of wild poliovirus or vaccine-derived poliovirus |
Confirmed case: at least one of the following two criteria: Note: Always send specimens to the National Reference Center for Enteroviruses for strain differentiation and for international case reporting to the WHO |
Notification Form
Informing the public about the reporting of notifiable diseases
Enhanced surveillance of enterovirus circulation in the population
An expanded network of virology laboratories conducting enterovirus testing was established in January 2000: the Enterovirus Surveillance Network (RSE). This network is coordinated biologically by the CNR and epidemiologically by Santé publique France. The laboratories are distributed throughout mainland France and submit monthly activity data on the detection of enterovirus infections by entering them directly on the CNR website.
The objective of the RSE is therefore to strengthen surveillance of enterovirus circulation in the population, with a focus on representativeness regarding both the number of tests performed and their geographic distribution; thus, it should demonstrate the ability of virology laboratories to identify the presence of enteroviruses and the absence of circulating wild poliovirus based on a large number of enterovirus-positive samples. All information regarding this network is available on the website of the National Reference Center for Enteroviruses/Parechoviruses: http://cnr.chu-clermontferrand.fr.
If a poliovirus is detected, immediate notification is required to allow for the initiation of an investigation. All strains are sent to the CNR in Lyon for virus identification and serotyping. The result is confirmed by the WHO European Polio Centre (RIVM, Bilthoven, Netherlands), to which all wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus strains must be sent as soon as possible
A network of partners
This surveillance program relies on various partners:
COORDINATING NRC
LYON CIVIL HOSPITALS (HCL)
VIROLOGY LABORATORY AND BIOLOGY
AND PATHOLOGY
CENTER HOSPITAL GROUP
59 BOULEVARD PINEL
69677 BRON CEDEX
Name of the person in charge: Prof. Bruno LINA
Tel.: 04 72 12 96 18 (secretariat): 04 72 12 96 17 - Fax: 04 72 12 95 00
Email: bruno.lina@chu-lyon.fr
CNR ASSOCIATED LABORATORY
CLERMONT-FERRAND UNIVERSITY
HOSPITAL VIROLOGY
LABORATORY - BIOLOGY CENTER UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
58 RUE MONTALEMBERT
63003 CLERMONT-FERRAND CEDEX
Name of Director: Prof. Cécile HENQUELL
Tel.: 04 73 75 48 50 (secretariat) - Fax: 04 73 75 48 51
Email: chenquell@chu-clermontferrand.fr
The list and contact information for the ARS are available on the ARS portal
A Polio Prevention Initiative
Santé publique France helps promote vaccination through various tools (website, promotional campaigns, brochures, etc.). We have created an informational website on the different vaccinations available in France to provide reliable, scientifically validated answers to questions the public and healthcare professionals may have on the subject.
A section dedicated to polio vaccination is available in two sections—one for the general public and the other for healthcare professionals—to better support them in their practice:
Download
In relation to
Vaccination
thematic dossier
Contagious diseases most often affect children at a very young age. Because children are particularly vulnerable, they are a priority target for vaccination programs.
