Surveillance of poliomyelitis in the United States in 1955.

COLLECTION and dissemination of epidemiological data on the safety and effectiveness of poliomyelitis vaccine are the primary functions of the National Poliomyelitis Surveillance Program, which was established in April 1955 at the Communicable Disease Center of the Public Health Service. These data are summarized and distributed currently in the mimeographed Poliomyelitis Surveillance Reports, which are available to all persons with responsibility in the control of poliomyelitis. A review of information collected in 1955 has been published (1). The present report summarizes the data for 1956. As part of the surveillance program a clearinghouse of information is maintained in the Poliomyelitis Surveillance Unit, Communicable Disease Center. There is constant mutual exchange of data between the unit and State and local health departments, virus diagnostic laboratories, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, and others. More than 40 officers of the Communicable Disease Center's Epidemic Intelligence Service contribute to this activity.