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| Dear polio eradication supporter |
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This month on World Polio Day (24 October), the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and advocates from across the globe celebrated a major step on the path to a polio-free future – the eradication of wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3). For the families, health workers, scientists, Rotarians and donors working to end polio, this achievement is an inspiring reminder that eradication is within reach. Next month, leaders from around the world will gather at the Reaching the Last Mile Forum in Abu Dhabi to announce their continued support of the GPEI and ensure the programme has the resources needed to overcome the final hurdles to eradication. |
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| | Two out of three wild poliovirus strains eradicated |
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 | | Children showing off their marked fingers after vaccination. ©WHO/Sigrun Roesel |
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On World Polio Day, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General of the World Health Organization, announced that WPV3 has been eradicated globally – the second of three wild poliovirus strains to be wiped out. With only one wild polio strain remaining, the polio programme is fully focused on overcoming remaining challenges and delivering on its promise of a polio-free world. Learn more about this historic public health achievement and what it will take to eradicate the final wild polio strain. [ More] |
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| Meet the people devoted to ending polio in Afghanistan |
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 | | © WHO/Afghanistan |
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Dedicated health workers across Afghanistan – one of only two countries in the world that still have wild polio – have committed their lives to protecting children against the devastating effects of the poliovirus. Check out how local eradication heroes like Rahim Khan and Dr Mohammad Qasim Aadil strengthen immunization coverage in their cities by training vaccinators, conducting surveillance and working with religious leaders. [ More]. |
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| Shooting hoops and stopping polio |
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 | | Through basketball, Mahamed engages the community in his work to end polio. ©WHO/Somalia |
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For Abdullahi Mahamed Noor, being a polio programme zonal coordinator is about more than delivering vaccines – building community trust is just as important. Using basketball as a way to connect with his community, Mahamed helps spread awareness of the importance and safety of the polio vaccine. Read more about Mahamed’s story and discover why community support is vital to eradicating polio. [ More] |
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POLIO IN NUMBERS
Wild poliovirus in 2019 (2018)* Global Total: 94 (28)
Circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus cVDPV in 2019 (2018)* Global Total: 102 (95) *Data as of 23 October 2019. Numbers in brackets represent data at this time in 2018. |
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Scientific American: Two strains of polio down, one to go Forbes: World Polio Day showcases great progress in eliminating polio The Telegraph: My dad's life was cut short by polio – I know the horrors of this terrible disease |
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| HIGHLIGHTS FROM WORLD POLIO DAY |
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USAID disbursed US$ 41 million to WHO to support polio activities in five regions, including critical outbreak response and surveillance strengthening. USAID also disbursed US$ 1.4 million to UNICEF for social mobilization and operations in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and over US$ 350,000 to support social mobilization activities in the Horn of Africa.
UNICEF would like to thank CDC for its generous contribution of US$ 2 million dollars that will go towards the procurement of oral polio vaccine to support vaccination campaigns in high risk countries.
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