National poliovirus containment regulatory agency established
Experts say eradication of polio requires joint efforts from all countries around the world
◎Our reporter Zhang Jiaxing
On February 21, reporters learned from the National Health Commission that the National Health Commission, the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention and other three departments recently jointly issued the "Notice on the Establishment of a National Poliovirus Containment Regulatory Agency" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"). Establish a national poliovirus containment regulatory agency to coordinate and promote the certification of essential poliovirus facilities in my country, and maintain communication with the World Health Organization according to the division of responsibilities.
Polio is caused by the poliovirus and is commonly known as poliomyelitis.
Since 2000, my country has continued to remain polio-free. Why does it still need to establish a regulatory agency to conduct systematic supervision and certify necessary facilities?
A reporter from Science and Technology Daily interviewed relevant experts.
There is still "the last mile" to eradicate polio
Since the World Health Organization launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, the number of wild poliovirus cases worldwide has dropped by more than 99.99%.
"Currently, only two countries in the world, Pakistan and Afghanistan, still have local circulating wild poliovirus strains." Zuo Shuyan, senior consultant for international organization affairs at the Ministry of Biological and International Cooperation of China, told reporters that in the "last mile" process of eradicating polio , China has sent many experts to relevant countries to support the strengthening of immunization work and supply vaccines to relevant countries.
"In addition to the spread of wild strains, poliovirus also has other risks of spread." Zuo Shuyan said, for example, if the live attenuated polio vaccine is used in people with low immunization rates and immunodeficiency people, there may be The virulence of the virus is atavistic, resulting in cases of paralysis.
One characteristic of poliovirus is that most people infected with the virus will not become ill, but these infected people may still cause potential spread.
In addition, to completely eliminate poliovirus, every outlet that may leak the virus must be "secured."
Zuo Shuyan said that as poliovirus disappears in nature, virus leakage may cause serious consequences of re-spreading the virus among the population.
In order to avoid possible leakage risks in virus strain preservation institutions, it is necessary to register and seal virus strain preservation, so as to truly eliminate poliovirus.
To this end, the 71st World Health Assembly formed a resolution on poliovirus containment.
"The resolution passed at the World Health Assembly needs to be recognized by all 192 member states, and the content of the resolution needs to be implemented by all member states." Zuo Shuyan said that this is a joint effort by mankind to eliminate poliovirus.
Prevent poliovirus from taking advantage of the situation
So why do we need to preserve viruses and infectious materials, and what institutions are involved?
"The virus still exists. In order to avoid its 'resurgence', research institutions, vaccine manufacturers, and inspection and verification agencies all need to use relevant strains to complete the prevention and control of infectious diseases. In addition, the strains of pathogens also need to be preserved to prevent diseases. It's in the future." Zuo Shuyan explained that for example, companies need virus strains to produce vaccines, and research institutions and testing agencies need virus strains to conduct research and use of relevant standards.
The "Notice" mentioned that the national poliovirus containment regulatory agency is specifically responsible for formulating working rules for regulatory agencies, organizing surveys, updating the list of potential poliovirus facilities, and organizing relevant experts to set up a review team to certify poliovirus facilities.
"At present, it seems that the regulatory agencies will organize, map and update the poliovirus containment status of units that are willing to continue to preserve and use poliovirus and that carry out key national functions." Zuo Shuyan said, it will be expected to preserve poliovirus. Poliovirus institutions conduct assessments to determine which institutions are qualified to continue to store and use poliovirus, and to determine whether relevant institutions have the ability to implement the requirements for poliovirus containment certification.
Only institutions that meet the conditions for poliovirus containment will be listed by the country.
At the same time, listed poliovirus facilities are subject to state supervision and inspection.
"Relevant materials and requirements must comply with global storage standards, including equipment, human resources, risk control measures and other aspects." Zuo Shuyan said that the relevant biorisk management standards contain 14 elements. Compliance with all elements means that polio can be stored The risk of virus spread is minimized.
It is reported that the supervision and inspection also include supervision of the use of preserved strains.
For example, if manufacturing companies want to use virus strains or scientific research units want to study virus strains, they must operate in strict accordance with specifications and requirements to minimize the risk of leakage.
"Eradicating polio is not a national action, but a global action, which requires joint efforts from all countries in the world." Zuo Shuyan believes that every gap in the immune barrier may cause the virus to "take advantage of the opportunity."
From planned immunization to the expanded program on immunization, China has always actively participated in the global polio eradication campaign.
The responsibilities of the national poliovirus containment regulatory agency established this time also include maintaining liaison and communication with the World Health Organization.
"Connecting with corresponding experts from the World Health Organization and strictly implementing relevant requirements at the national level is a practical implementation of China's commitment to polio eradication and reflects China's responsibility in blocking infectious diseases," Zuo Shuyan said.
(Science and Technology Daily)