Containment Guidance and Tools
GAPIII and Containment Certification Scheme
The WHO Global Action Plan (GAPIII) is the chief guidance document for poliovirus containment. It was endorsed by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization in October 2014 and through World Health Assembly resolution WHA68.3 in May 2015. The GAPIII Containment Certification Scheme (CCS), to support implementation of GAPIII, was endorsed by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization in October 2016.
On recommendation from the Containment Advisory Group (CAG), and through wide engagement of stakeholders, GAPIII (2014) is being revised. The revision aims to streamline the tool with other relevant WHO guidance and incorporate technical recommendations made to-date by CAG. The first draft revision is now complete and undergoing critical review by CAG. Following this, a 30-day period of public consultation will be held, and feedback from containment stakeholders will be encouraged. Updates will be posted on this web page. For more information, please contact containment@who.int.
| GAPIII | عربي | 中文 | English | Français | Русский | Español |
| CCS | عربي | 中文 | English | Français | Русский | Español |
| CCS, 1-pager | English |
The following Containment Certification Scheme forms and templates are available to support National Authorities for Containment in the roll-out and implementation of the certification process. All submissions to the Global Certification Commission for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (GCC) must be made in English.
Guidance to minimize risks for facilities collecting, handling or storing materials potentially infectious for polioviruses (PIM Guidance) – 2nd edition
This guidance aims to facilitate the identification of materials potentially infectious for polioviruses within laboratories that handle human stool specimens, respiratory samples or environmental sewage. Depending on the place and time of collection, these materials may contain infectious polioviruses that are eradicated (WPV2 and WPV3), nearly eradicated (WPV1) or originating from oral polio vaccines. Identifying, eliminating the risk through destruction, or mitigating the risk of handling such materials is essential, not only to maintain the safety of laboratory workers and their communities, but also for the success of the global polio eradication effort.
Facilities are encouraged to use Web Annex A to assess the risk of sample collections potentially infectious for poliovirus, and Web Annex B to complete the form available as Web Annex C. Web Annex D helps national focal points complete the progress reporting form describing preparations for poliovirus containment.
- PIM Guidance 2nd edition
- Web Annex A: Country- and area-specific poliovirus data
- Web Annex B: SOP for the identification, destruction or preparation for containment of poliovirus infectious or potentially infectious materials
- Web Annex C: Form 1 – Facility reporting form
- Web Annex D: Form 2 – Progress reporting form on preparations for poliovirus containment and completion of Phase I of GAPIII
Public Health Management of Facility Related Exposure to Live Polioviruses
WHO has published guidance for managing human exposure to live polioviruses in laboratory facilities. Countries where polioviruses are kept require this guidance.
The document is primarily aimed at workers handling and storing polioviruses in designated poliovirus-essential facilities and outlines public health measures to be taken in the event of a spill or containment breach.
- Public Health Management of Facility Related Exposure to Live Polioviruses | English | French | Arabic | Spanish |
