 |
 |
|
 |
||
Print 
Download Reader 
|
|
|
|
||
Print Download Reader
 |
|
|
Laboratory Containment of Wild Poliovirus in the United StatesDate: March 25, 2004 To: Cristina Beato, M.D., Acting Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services From: Bruce Gellin, M.D., M.P.H., Director, National Vaccine Program Office Re: Laboratory Containment of Wild Poliovirus in the United States - National Report Issue: The World Health Organization requested that all polio-free countries prepare a National Inventory as the first step (Phase I) toward global containment of wild polioviruses after eradication. The purpose of containment is to minimize the risk of reintroduction of wild polioviruses from the laboratory to the community. The United States inventory has been compiled in the enclosed report, Laboratory Containment of Wild Poliovirus in the United States, Phase I, The National Inventory of Institutions/Laboratories Retaining Wild Poliovirus Materials. [PPT - 789K] Discussion: In May 1999, the WHO issued resolution CE126.R4, which urged all member nations to begin the process leading to laboratory containment of wild polioviruses as part of the global effort to eradicate polio. On November 14, 2000 the Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General delegated responsibility for development and implementation of this plan to the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO). On March 7, 2001, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization requested DHHS assistance in complying with CE126.R4. To meet this request, NVPO contracted with the Task Force for Child Survival for development of a national inventory of laboratory samples of polioviruses. A final report was submitted to NVPO in January and was reviewed and discussed at the February 2004 National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) Meeting. At that meeting, NVAC declared the report to be of high quality and to meet the global standards for documentation of national actions on containment as required for Phase I. The National Inventory was acknowledged to be a comprehensive and an accurate accounting; as of November 2003, 122 institutions with 180 laboratories retaining wild poliovirus materials responded to the survey. Of the 180 laboratories, 87 are listed as storing infectious materials, 56 potentially infectious materials, and 37 both types of materials. Recommendation: On February 4, 2004, NVAC voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of its Polio Laboratory Containment Workgroup to endorse submission of the Report by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to the Director, Pan American Health Organization. We ask that you sign the attached memo to the Secretary and request that he sign a transmittal letter to the Director of the Pan American Health Organization. Attachments: Date: March 25, 2004 To: Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services From: Cristina Beato, M.D., Acting Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services Re: Laboratory Containment of Wild Poliovirus in the United States - National Report Enclosed please find a copy of the report Laboratory Containment of Wild Poliovirus in the United States from the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO). This document was developed to ascertain the number of U.S. institutions retaining wild poliovirus materials. In May 1999 the WHO urged all member nations to being the process leading to laboratory containment of wild polioviruses as part of the global effort to eradicate polio. As a result, in March 2001, the Director of the WHO Regional Office for the American Regions wrote to you requesting U.S. commitment to guarantee containment of wild polioviruses stored in laboratories. The compilation of this report was initiated in October 2001 by the NVPO under the authority granted by Section 301 of the Public Health Services Act. The report has been reviewed and approved by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. I ask that you forward this document to the Director of PAHO for inclusion in the American Region report. Date: March 25, 2004 To: Mirta Roses Periago, M.D., Director, Pan American Health Organization From: Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services Re: Laboratory Containment of Wild Poliovirus in the United States, Phase I, The National Inventory of Institutions/Laboratories Retaining Wild Poliovirus Materials In response the PAHO Executive Committee Resolution CE126.R4 urging member states to initiate activities related to the containment of any laboratory material that may harbor specimens of wild poliovirus, I am enclosing the United States inventory. This report documents U.S. progress toward poliovirus laboratory containment. I am pleased to submit the attached Final Report Laboratory Containment of Wild Poliovirus in the United States, Phase I, The National Inventory of Institutions/Laboratories Retaining Wild Poliovirus Materials [PPT - 789K] for inclusion in the American Region report. I look forward to your comments. Last revised: August 24, 2004 |
|
