TAG supports the need to minimize the potential for reintroduction of wild polioviruses into communities through containment of poliovirus strains in the laboratories. Most countries of the Region of the Americas have concluded Phase 1 of the Plan of Action for Containment, corresponding to the conduction of a survey and the elaboration of a national inventory of laboratories that may have stored wild poliovirus or potential infectious material. TAG received a report on containment and notes the progress that has been made in containment activities in the Region and looks forward to the final report that the Regional Commission on Containment will send to the Global Commission.

Recommendations:

• To prevent reintroduction of wild poliovirus into their communities, all American countries should conclude phase I of wild poliovirus containment in the laboratories as requested by the Regional Commission on Containment.