title: A new paradigm for international disease control: lessons learned from polio eradication in Southeast Asia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the impact of international coordination on polio eradication in Southeast Asia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Active surveillance systems for acute flaccid paralysis were assessed. Analyses focused on surveillance proficiency and polio incidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten countries coordinated activities. Importations occurred and were rapidly contained in China and Myanmar. Countries that have been free of indigenous polio transmission for at least 3 years include Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand. In the remaining endemic countries--India, Nepal, and Bangladesh--poliovirus transmission has been substantially reduced; however, these countries still harbor the world's largest polio reservoir.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unprecedented international coordination in Southeast Asia resulted in dramatic progress in polio eradication and serves as a paradigm for control of other infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Southeast Asia Regional Office, New Delhi, India. andrusj@whosea.org
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Andrus
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Thapa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Withana
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Fitzsimmons
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abeykoon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aylward
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018563:Disease Notification; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007391:International Cooperation; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*