The year 2019 was not particularly good in Rotary International’s ongoing effort to eradicate the poliovirus world wide.  The data as of February 19, 2020 states that there were 173 cases of polio contracted from the wild poliovirus and 329 cases of vaccine derived polio (cVDPV) in 2019.  Thus far in the current year there have been 12 cases of polio as a result of the wild poliovirus and 6 cases of cVDPV, 4 in endemic countries and 2 in non-endemic countries.  All 12 cases have been reported in Pakistan. (Elsewhere in this newsletter you will read that Pakistan has already had 17 cases this year.)
 
At this point in time one year ago we had 9 cases of polio, 7 in Pakistan and 2 in Afghanistan.  Here is a summary of just what has occurred in the last week:  Afghanistan: two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples; Pakistan: five WPV1 cases and six WPV1 positive environmental samples; Angola: one cVDPV2 case; Côte d’Ivoire: six cVDPV2 positive environmental samples;Ethiopia: one cVDPV2 case; Ghana: two cVDPV2 cases; Philippines: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample.
 
Our task in the polio eradication effort is far from complete. We must double and triple our efforts so as to not let the situation get out of control. Please consider a personal donation to the End Polio Now – Make History Today Campaign.
In next month’s newsletter, up to date figures for the District’s End Polio Now Champions Award will be released.
 
 
Please click on Read More to see images from the recent PolioPlus trip to Caborca, Mexico.