A NewEpidemiologic andLaboratory Classification System forParalytic Poliomyelitis Cases

Anepidemiologic classification ofparalytic poliomy- elitis cases (ECPPC) hasbeeninuseintheUnited States since 1976. In1985, this classification system wasreviewed because ofrecent changes intheepidemiology ofparalytic poliomyelitis andimproved laboratory capability todefinitively characterize poliovirus strains. Analternative classification system wasdevised, theepidemiologic andlaboratory classification ofparalytic polio cases(ELCPPC), that incorporated virus isolation andstrain characterization withepide-