Implementing Poliovirus Containment Requirements in a Global Academic Research Collaboration

Abstract

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative has established the goal of eliminating wild poliovirus circulation to form a polio-free world. To help achieve this goal, the WHO developed GAPIII, a global guideline implemented at the national level to minimize the risk of facility-associated poliovirus infections. The guidelines require research facilities to either destroy or contain wild type, vaccine-derived poliovirus; oral poliovirus vaccine viruses; and potentially infectious poliovirus materials for an area where polio was found or oral polio vaccine was in use. These requirements are applicable to facilities that conduct research unrelated to poliovirus but intend to use samples that may contain potentially infectious materials, such as infant stool specimens. In this case study, we demonstrate our approach to comply with the GAPIII guidelines, identify opportunities to improve the guidelines for international public health research, and provide recommendations for biosafety officers to help research facilities comply with changing global guidelines such as poliovirus containment.