Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!

Dear Polio Eradication Warriors,

What is that Polio Picture? Today's picture is of the child who may well be India's last Polio victim for all time - thanks to your efforts. Young Rukhsar of Howrak, West Bengal, India contracted Polio on 1/13/11. History is being made as we approach the Third Anniversary of zero Polio cases in India - considered to be the Eradication Date. So, India is safe, right? No, not as long as the Wild Polio Virus survives anywhere in the World. But, if India can stop Polio, can the Final Three (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria) be far behind?

Afghanistan ! - No indigenous cases of Polio have occurred in 2013. All 11 cases are linked to cross-border transmission with Pakistan.

Best Wishes for a Healthy and Worldwide Polio-Free New Year

Read the attachment that came with this report.

 

The Final Three Endemic Countries

Pakistan - 83 Polio cases recorded in 2013 compared to 58 on this date in 2012, with the most recent case reported on Nov. 26, 2013 in North Waziristan. The situation is critical in he North where local leaders have suspended Polio immunizations since June of 2012.

Afghanistan - 11 Polio cases recorded in 2013 compared to 35 on this date in 2012.

Nigeria - 51 Polio cases recorded in 2013 compared to 119 on this date in 2012, with the most recent cases (from Kano) reported on Sept. 10, 2013. Polio is increasingly geographically restricted in Nigeria. Despite this being the rainy (high transmission) season, only 4 Polio cases have been reported in the last month and they have all come from the Kanod & Borno States.

Importation Countries:

Syria - 17 Polio cases recorded in 2013. A large-scale immunization drive targeting 1.6 million children with vaccinations for Polio, Measles, Mumps, & Rubela started on Oct. 24. Large-scale SIA's targeting 22 million children in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, and Palestine, will continue for 6 -8 Mo.

Somalia - 183 Polio cases recorded in 2013, with the most recent reported on Oct. 9 in Lower Shabele.

Kenya - 14 Polio cases reported in 2013, with the most recent case reported on August 14.

Ethiopia - 6 Polio Cases reported in 2013, with the most recent case reported on October 20.

Cameroon - 4 Polio Cases reported in 2013, with the most recent on Oct. 30.

Israel - Although no paralytic Polio cases have been reported, environmental samples continue to indicate the presence of Type 1 Polio virus.

Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!

Terry Ziegler, District 5890 Rotary Foundation Committee Chair, Email BigZLumber@aol.com
Wayne Staton, District 5890 PolioPlus Chair wayne_staton@yahoo.com