CDC update on global polio eradication efforts

The latest MMWR reports on progress made over the past 15 months in the quest to eradicate polio worldwide. Among the details included:

• The number of polio-endemic countries now stands at 4 (Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan), down from 6 as recently as February 2006 (Egypt and Niger have been dropped from the list.)
• India and Pakistan are moving closer to eradication, with a 50% decrease in cases over the past year.
• Nigeria remains the primary nation of concern (as we've written about previously). 41% of cases worldwide (799 of 1,948) occurred in Nigeria, and 94% of global cases were caused by viruses originating in northern Nigeria.
• Worldwide infant vaccination levels are estimated at 80%, but are much lower (as expected) in polio-endemic countries. The number is only 39% in Nigeria overall, and lower still in provinces with higher rates of polio transmission.

Today's report comes a month after an extended feature in the New York Times on polio eradication efforts, which we previously discussed here.