What public health measures are used to stop poliovirus transmission in outbreaks?

• A. High-coverage vaccination campaigns (OPV/IPV), surveillance, rapid outbreak response immunization, and environmental surveillance
• B. Travel bans and quarantine only
• C. Antibiotics and antivirals
• D. Vitamin supplementation programs

Answer: (A)

Stopping poliovirus transmission in outbreaks relies on a coordinated package that rapidly builds population immunity and detects and interrupts spread. High-coverage vaccination campaigns using OPV or IPV are essential because they raise immunity across the community, with OPV providing strong intestinal immunity that helps block fecal-oral transmission and IPV supporting systemic protection to prevent paralysis. Pairing vaccination with robust surveillance ensures cases are detected early and transmission chains are identified. Rapid outbreak response immunization targets nearby contacts and communities to halt spread quickly. Environmental surveillance, such as sewage testing, helps reveal poliovirus circulation even when no cases are visible, guiding timely action. Travel bans and quarantine alone don’t reliably stop transmission and are difficult to implement effectively. Antibiotics and antivirals aren’t applicable for poliovirus control, and vitamins do not influence spread. The combination described reflects the comprehensive approach used to stop transmission during polio outbreaks.