neareradication

Neareradication is the state in which a disease, pest, or other public health or ecological problem has been reduced to extremely low levels of transmission or prevalence but has not achieved full eradication. The term is often used informally and its exact meaning can vary by field, but it generally describes a transitional phase between control and elimination, where ongoing efforts are still required to prevent resurgence.

Indicators of neareradication include sustained interruption of transmission for a defined period in most settings, a reproductive number below 1, and very low or zero reported cases in high-sensitivity surveillance. Remaining transmission is typically confined to isolated foci, which demand targeted interventions and vigilant monitoring to maintain progress.

Causes of neareradication are usually the result of effective control programs, improved diagnostics, vaccination or treatment coverage, vector or reservoir management, and stronger health systems. Persistent risks include reintroduction through travel, animal or environmental reservoirs, gaps in surveillance, or reductions in funding and political commitment that could allow transmission to rebound if interventions are relaxed.

In practice, neareradication highlights the fragile balance between success and relapse. It emphasizes the need for sustained surveillance, rapid response capacity, and continued investment to transform near-eradicated conditions into complete eradication. While the term is widely used in public health and conservation, it is not a formal international status and may be defined differently depending on the context.