Photo credit: DiasporaEngager (www.DiasporaEngager.com).
It’s Time to Make Polio History
In 1988, poliovirus was present in 125 countries, paralyzing an estimated 1,000 children per day. That year, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) launched, with a goal of eradicating polio worldwide.
Over the past 35 years, GPEI has made remarkable progress towards this goal. Cases of wild poliovirus have decreased by more than 99% – from 350,000 cases per year to fewer than 10 annual cases of wild polio. The disease remains consistently present in just two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan.
But challenges remain. As long as wild poliovirus continues to circulate in Afghanistan and Pakistan, all countries are at risk of wild poliovirus being imported. Outbreaks of poliovirus variants – which emerge when not enough children are vaccinated against polio – present an additional and pressing challenge in multiple countries.
On World Polio Day, CDC commemorates this progress and joins its GPEI partners in the call to overcome the barriers to Make Polio History once and for all.
Spread the Word!
Digital content from CDC and partners is available to spread the word about ending polio – on World Polio Day and beyond!
Digital Content from CDC
Sample post: Did you know only one human disease (smallpox) has been eradicated? We’re close to changing that count. #MakePolioHistory #WorldPolioDay
Sample post: To end polio, national health organizations worldwide must increase vaccination levels in all places, focusing where the virus is most likely to spread. #MakePolioHistory #WorldPolioDay
Sample post: October 24 is #WorldPolioDay! Together, we can #EndPolio.
Sample post: On #WorldPolioDay and beyond, let’s recognize the tremendous progress and show support for support those working tirelessly to #EndPolio.
Sample post: 35 years ago, wild poliovirus was present in 125 countries – paralyzing 1,000+ children per day. Today, it’s only present in 2. Time to #MakePolioHistory. #WorldPolioDay
Source of original article: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / CDC Features Series (tools.cdc.gov).
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