POLIO Update - February 26, 2015
The 30th Year - As we celebrate the 110th Anniversary of Rotary this month, we also recognize the 30th year of our battle for Global Polio Eradication. We have never been closer to our goal. But "This Close" is not close enough. Please continue to Donate (to reach our $35 million goal this year - to be matched by $70 million from the Gates Foundation), to Educate (so Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike may be united behind this effort), and to Advocate (encouraging each government, foundation and NGO to support us) until we reach Zero Polio Cases worldwide for 3 Years!
Africa - It has been over 13 months since the last Polio case was reported in Ethiopia, over 7 months for Cameroon, over 6 months for Somalia and over 7 months for Nigeria. If Nigeria can go 12 months with quality surveillance detecting no Wild Polio Virus, they will join the countries which have stopped Polio transmission. If after an additional two years, no Wild Polio Virus has been detected, Nigeria could be certified as Polio - Free!
A Polio-Free Pakistan - With 85% of the world's 2014 Polio cases occurring in Pakistan, it's clear that evidence of increased commitment from the government of Pakistan at all levels is crucial for turning the tide on polio. The emergency activities will in the future be directly overseen by the Office of the Prime Minister, which will monitor progress on a regular basis and redirect the plan as needed based on evolving epidemiology. In the long history of the polio eradication effort, countries that seemed to have insurmountable problems have made a dramatic turnaround following a similar commitment from their governments.
The Final Three Endemic Countries:
Pakistan - 9 cases reported in 2015 with 306 Polio cases recorded in 2014 The most recent case was reported on 01/31/15 in Peshawar.
Afghanistan - Two cases reported in 2015 with 28 Polio cases recorded in 2014. The most recent case was reported on 01/21/14
from the Hilmand Province.
Nigeria - Zero cases reported in 2015 with 6 Polio cases recorded in 2014. The most recent case was reported on 7/24/14. Sub-National Immunization Days are planned on March 14-18 using trivalent vaccine.
Nigeria - Zero cases reported in 2015 with 6 Polio cases recorded in 2014. The most recent case was reported on 7/24/14. Sub-National Immunization Days are planned on March 14-18 using trivalent vaccine.
Importation Countries:
Ethiopia - Zero Polio Case reported in 2015 compared to 1 in 2014.
Cameroon - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 compared to 5 in 2014.
Somalia - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 compared to 5 in 2014.
Iraq - Zero Polio cases reported in 2015 compared to 2 in 2014.
Syria - Zero Polio case reported in 2015 compared to 1 in 2014.
Equatorial Guinea - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 compared to 5 in 2014.
Ethiopia - Zero Polio Case reported in 2015 compared to 1 in 2014.
Cameroon - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 compared to 5 in 2014.
Somalia - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 compared to 5 in 2014.
Iraq - Zero Polio cases reported in 2015 compared to 2 in 2014.
Syria - Zero Polio case reported in 2015 compared to 1 in 2014.
Equatorial Guinea - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 compared to 5 in 2014.