The Department of Health and the World Health Organisation agree that the Western Pacific, though declared polio-free, cannot afford to lower its guard until global eradication of the disease has been achieved.

Speaking at the WHO Western Pacific Region Poliomyelitis Laboratory Network's workshop, being held in Hong Kong this week, the organisation's Dr Kazunobu Kojima said the Western Pacific Region has been certified as polio-free since 2000.

"Considering the fact that there are still at least four polio-endemic countries in the world, the importance of maintaining vigilance remains unchanged," he said, adding that until global eradication is certified, the region remains at risk from the possible importation of wild poliovirus.

"To prevent this, we need to maintain a highly sensitive acute flaccid paralysis surveillance and global polio laboratory network," he said.

His view was shared by Deputy Director of Health Dr Leung Pak-yin who also attended the workshop.

"We have undertaken to be one of the co-organisers because we recognise that proficiency in laboratory detection of poliovirus is one of the essential elements in achieving the goal of eradication," Dr Leung said.

The department has been collaborating with the WHO on various programmes, including polio eradication. He believed the workshop will also help foster a good spirit of collaboration in the region.