[National Poliovirus Laboratory--the role of and performed investigations in the eradication of poliomyelitis in Poland 1998-2002].

In 2002 all the countries of the European Region were certified free of wild poliomyelitis virus transmission. In Poland the viral diagnosing, ensuing from coordinated by WHO eradication program, has been conducted exclusively by the National Poliovirus Laboratory (NPL) located in the Virology Department of National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw. In this report we describe diagnostic criteria as well as the scope of laboratory tests and procedures carried out by NPL from 1998 in order to obtain and maintain WHO accreditation. In addition we present a summary of laboratory findings in fecal samples from patients with acute flaccid paralysis and from their contacts. We conclude with a discussion of crucial in terms of virology points of the eradication program especially in view of its further implementation during the "after certification" era.