Polio Eradication Statistics
Below are the current statistics on the number of Polio caused by the wild polio virus in endemic countries. Eight (8) of the 11 cases, this year, are in the country of Afghanistan and three (3) are from Pakistan. There were no new cases reported in Nigeria at this time. The 11 cases this year is disconcerting as it represents roughly twice the number of cases as last year at this time. The war against Polio continues and Rotary will and must support the effort to end this dreaded disease.
Following unconfirmed reports on 8 June of suspected polio re-emergence in Venezuela, final laboratory testing has confirmed the cause of the paralysis is not wild poliovirus or vaccine-derived poliovirus. The full statement from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative may be read - http://polioeradication.org/news-post/update-on-suspected-polio-case-in-venezuela/
World leaders at the G7 summit affirmed continued commitment to global polio eradication in the summit communique: “We reconfirm our resolve to work with partners to eradicate polio and effectively manage the post-polio transition”.