Due to the success of worldwide efforts to contain and eliminate polio, the CDC and WHO are moving towards the eventual eradication of all poliovirus. Currently, wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) infectious materials , all poliovirus type 2 (PV2) and poliovirus type 3 (PV3) materials, including WPV2 and WPV3, vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) and vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (VDPV3), and Sabin type 2-related poliovirus, are subject to containment. This includes both laboratory strains and isolates and other potentially infectious materials, such as stool or respiratory specimens that originate from areas with a high prevalence of poliovirus. The CDC and WHO plans to move towards the containment of all poliovirus types.

Users of these materials will eventually be asked to register with the CDC as a designated poliovirus essential facility. The criteria for these facilities are similar to Biosafety Level 3 laboratories with additional biosecurity elements. Please refer to the CDC webpage (bit.ly/3RfyGgF) and the WHO GAPIII document (https://bit.ly/2yOzPBX) for more information on the upcoming requirements and conditions for poliovirus research.

Laboratories using poliovirus or other materials potentially containing poliovirus are encouraged to re-evaluate their use of these materials and destroy any unneeded samples.

If you are currently working with poliovirus or materials that may contain poliovirus contact the Biosafety group.