Polio Update - March 12th
Africa - It has been over 13 months since the last Polio case was reported in Ethiopia, over 8 months for Cameroon, over 7 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 - Don't Think They Are Serious? Pakistani authorities have conducted their first-ever mass arrest of parents for refusing to allow their children to be vaccinated against Polio. In January of this year, 54,061 parents rejected the vaccine. In February, 36,510 did so. Authorities in Peshawar, in the north-west of the country, detained 471 people and charged them with "endangering public security". The local government says they will only be freed once they have pledged in writing to vaccinate their children. The Taliban prohibit vaccinations and have attacked health workers.
The Pakistani government has declared "war" on the disease. "We have decided to deal with the refusal cases with iron hands. Anyone who refuses will be sent to jail," said Riaz Khan Mehsud, deputy commissioner of Peshawar. 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 Final Three Endemic Countries:
Pakistan - 16 cases reported in 2015 with 306 Polio cases recorded in 2014 The most recent case was reported on 02/10/15 in the Dadu district.
Afghanistan - One case 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.
Importation Countries:
Ethiopia - Zero Polio Case reported in 2015 with 1 case in 2014.
Cameroon - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 5 cases in 2014.
Somalia - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 5 cases in 2014.
Iraq - Zero Polio cases reported in 2015 with 2 cases in 2014.
Syria - Zero Polio case reported in 2015 with 1 case in 2014.
Equatorial Guinea - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 5 cases in 2014.
Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!
Terry Ziegler, Rotary Foundation Committee Chair, District 5890
Pakistan - 16 cases reported in 2015 with 306 Polio cases recorded in 2014 The most recent case was reported on 02/10/15 in the Dadu district.
Afghanistan - One case 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.
Importation Countries:
Ethiopia - Zero Polio Case reported in 2015 with 1 case in 2014.
Cameroon - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 5 cases in 2014.
Somalia - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 5 cases in 2014.
Iraq - Zero Polio cases reported in 2015 with 2 cases in 2014.
Syria - Zero Polio case reported in 2015 with 1 case in 2014.
Equatorial Guinea - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 5 cases in 2014.
Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!
Terry Ziegler, Rotary Foundation Committee Chair, District 5890