In 1985, Poliomyelitis was crippling 500,000 children each year and was in 125 countries. Today, thanks to Rotary, polio exists in 2 countries and the cases are down to 135 children but we won't stop until it is ZERO cases! Polio is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 30 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.
Visit www.EndPolio.org to learn more, and donate to help END POLIO NOW!