The Global Health Observatory

Explore a world of health data

Map
Table
Indicator name:
Poliomyelitis by wild poliovirus (WPV type 1) - number of reported cases
Short name:
Poliomyelitis - number of reported cases
Data type:
Count
Indicator Id:
51
Topic:
Mortality and burden of disease
Rationale:
Poliomyelitis is targeted for eradication. Highly sensitive surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), including immediate case investigation, and specimen collection are critical for the detection of wild poliovirus circulation with the ultimate objective of polio eradication. AFP surveillance is also critical for documenting the absence of poliovirus circulation for polio-free certification.
Definition:
Reported cases of laboratory-confirmed polio cases. A polio case is confirmed if wild poliovirus is isolated from stool specimens collected from an Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) case.
M&E Framework:
Impact
Method of estimation:
WHO compiles data as reported by national authorities. Type of statistics: unadjusted cumulative counts.
Method of estimation of global and regional aggregates:
Sum of reported cases.
Preferred data sources:
Surveillance systems; All references to Kosovo should be understood to be in the context of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)
Unit of Measure:
Cases
Expected frequency of data dissemination:
Week
Expected frequency of data collection:
Week
Comments:
A country should continue to report AFP cases even after interrupting wild poliovirus transmission. In those countries that have been polio free for decade, the detection rate of AFP cases is less accurate than in polio infected countries or countries at high risk of being re- infected by the poliovirus. The AFP surveillance system is based on an active surveillance system and is therefore quite accurate.
Contact person email:
epidata@who.int
Name:
Epidata
Links:
Wild poliovirus list
Indicator Metadata Registry List
If you have any feedback, you are welcome to write it here.
If you need to access the old Global Health Observatory data, you can do it here. But before you leave, please provide us your feedback about our new data portal.