Polio is a viral disease that has almost been eradicated worldwide. Nevertheless, the virus is still present in places where people produce vaccines and in laboratories where people do blood tests. Facilities that work with the poliovirus must meet strict requirements. The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd, or IGJ), and more specifically the National Authority for Containment (NAC), makes sure that these facilities meet these requirements to prevent the poliovirus from being reintroduced into society.
Minimizing the risks of poliovirus outbreaks
Global vaccinations have almost eradicated the poliovirus. However, some laboratories and other facilities still work with poliovirus to do blood tests or produce vaccines. The presence of this virus means that there is still a risk that it could be reintroduced into society.
That is why the Netherlands and other countries have made agreements with the World Health Organization (WHO) to lower this risk. Countries must ensure that the poliovirus is present in as few locations as possible. Only facilities that meet the WHO’s requirements are allowed to work with the poliovirus. The IGJ supervises facilities that work with the poliovirus in the Netherlands. It does this as the National Authority for Containment (NAC).
Requirements for working safely with poliovirus
The WHO recognizes 5 locations in the Netherlands where the poliovirus is still present. These are called Poliovirus Essential Facilities (PEFs). A PEF must meet strict WHO requirements to work with and store the poliovirus. The NAC audits these locations to make sure they meet these requirements. For example, the facility must:
- Have a quality system that allows it to monitor compliance with the requirements and make timely adjustments where necessary;
- Have identified the risks of accidental release of the poliovirus;
- Have taken measures to minimize these risks;
- Have screened and vaccinated personnel trained to work safely with the poliovirus.
- Have good security and data security in place.
All of these location requirements are described in the Global Action Plan for poliovirus Containment (GAPIV). If a PEF facility meets all of these requirements, the NAC applies for a WHO certificate for the facility.
Additional PEF obligations from 2025
From 1 January 2025 (target date), PEFs will have to:
- Apply for a permit;
- Report incidents and calamities to the NAC;
- Ask the NAC for prior permission for the transport of poliovirus material.
These requirements will be included in the Public Health Act (Wet publieke gezondheidszorg, or Wpg). See: Mandatory notifications and applications for PEFs.
Annual monitoring of poliovirus sites
Every year, the NAC visits all locations where the virus is being worked with or where it is being stored. This is called an audit. If the locations do not meet the right requirements, the NAC can enforce them.