The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Tuesday that Southeast Asia has completed five years without any case of wild poliovirus. "This is a remarkable achievement in view of the continued threat of poliovirus importation from the remaining polio-endemic countries," WHO Regional Director Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh said in a statement. "Countries in the region have been making commendable efforts, stepping up vigilance against polio and continuing to protect children against the crippling virus." WHO said that completing five years without any case of wild poliovirus is "yet another achievement" and a reminder that efforts need to continue until the disease is eradicated globally. "We need to ensure that our efforts and investment over the years to eradicate polio do not go to waste. Globally, polio transmission is at its lowest ever levels. However, the risk of importation of the poliovirus into all polio-free areas persists," Singh said.
