Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication --- Pakistan and Afghanistan, January 2006--February 2007. [MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep] Journal article

Of the four countries where wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission has never been interrupted, two are in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region: Pakistan and Afghanistan. During January 2006--February 2007, the number of reported WPV cases in both countries increased. In addition, an increase was observed in the number of affected districts; however, genetic diversity of the virus decreased, and regions of transmission remained limited. This report updates a previous report and describes polio cases and eradication activities in Pakistan and Afghanistan during January 2006--February 2007. Critical to the success of polio eradication will be high vaccination coverage among children in areas of frequent conflict along the border between these two countries.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep