Eradication of poliomyelitis in Brazil: the contribution of Fundação Oswaldo Cruz

Abstract

The eradication of wild polioviruses from the Americas represents a remarkable public health achievement. Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) contributed to this result in many ways. Its National Reference Center for Enteroviruses in the Department of Virology of Oswaldo Cruz Institute developed laboratory activities, Bio-Manguinhos developed and delivered the oral vaccine, its National School of Public Health developed epidemiological and laboratory activities and its National Institute for Quality Control in Health controlled the vaccine. Fiocruz also carried out important research projects on enteroviruses. Since poliomyelitis still represents a serious problem in many countries in the world, it is important to emphasize the relevant contribution of Fiocruz to the eradication of the disease in Brazil and in the American continent.