Last month on End Polio Now 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.
Two out of three wild poliovirus strains eradicated
On End Polio Now Day, 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.
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
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.
RIDE THE TRAIN
A successful promotion involving many clubs with over 100 Rotarians throughout the District participating with many other clubs supporting this project.
We now need to complete this project, would clubs please complete the attached form and email a copy to Michael Fagg E: mickel@slingshot.co.nz so we can publish a result to everyone in District.
Rota Kids - Wanganui Daybreak, Capturing the moment at each of the 62 stations
Mee Mio (Polio NZ Inc) and Heather Fagg (Otaki) ensuring Rotarians caught the next train.
CR CODE We used this as a handout on “Ride the Train” detailing the reasons to eradicate polio, we can now use this as an on going tool for fundraising at clubs, please simply print off copies.
