Polio Plus support by Rotary

Only two new WPV cases reported. The total numbers of cases reported for 2012 as at 21 August were:

• 123 polio cases compared to 333 at the same time in 2011 i.e. 37%.
• 106 were WPV1 vs. 281 at the same time in 2011 or 38%.
• 17 were WPV3 vs. 52 in 2011 or 33%.
• 118 were in the three endemic countries vs. 111 at the same date last year.
• 5 were in Chad the only non-endemic country with polio this year vs. 222 cases last year from 9 countries.
• The countries with polio cases in 2012 to date are:

• • Nigeria 72 vs. 25 at the same time in 2011.
  • Pakistan 29 vs. 72 at the same time in 2011.
  • Afghanistan 17 vs.13 at the same time in 2011.
  • Chad 5 vs.100 at the same time in 2011.

Decades ago, polio outbreaks were a constant threat around the world. After the introduction of polio vaccines by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin and a steadfast immunization effort, these outbreaks became part of history in most of the world. Yet many still live under the threat of polio, which is why Rotary and its global partners are committed to reaching every child with the vaccine and ending this disease worldwide. Major gains have been made in the global fight against polio: In the 1980s, 1,000 children were infected by the disease every day in 125 countries. Today, polio cases have declined by 99 percent, with fewer than two thousand cases reported in 2006. Two billion children have been immunized, five million have been spared disability, and over 250,000 deaths from polio have been prevented.

Underfunding of the global initiative to eradicate polio is one of the biggest obstacles to eradicating polio. Funding goes toward items such as the oral polio vaccine.  As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk. The stakes are that high.  The Rotary Club of Braselton contributed $2000 in 2009 toward the Polio Plus initative.