Introduction:
Polio is one of the oldest diseases of mankind, it was first known by ancient Egyptians in 1350 BC. Since that time human being, from all over the world, suffered from the effects of the disease on the health of children and community by causing disability and the death of many children.
The suffering continued until the middle of the 20th century when scientist Jonas Salk was able to develop a vaccine (IPV) during the period from 1953 – 195. He was followed by Albert Sabin who has developed an oral polio vaccine in 1960, marking the beginning of actual prevention of the disease and protection of millions of children from its effects.
In 1988, the 41st World Health Assembly declared that the World Health Organization (WHO) was committed to eradicate polio by the year 2000.
Facts about polio:
- Polio (poliomyelitis) mainly affects children under 5 years of age.
- One in each 200 infections leads to incurable paralysis and 5% to 10% of those infected with polio die from it.
- According to statistics, polio cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350 000 cases then, to 359 reported cases in 2014. The reduction is the result of the global effort to eradicate the disease.
- As long as a single child remains infected, children in all countries are at risk of contracting polio.
- The global effort has expanded capacities to tackle other infectious diseases by building effective surveillance and immunization systems.
Objectives of World Polio Day:
The sought-after goals of GPEI are:
- Eliminating polio virus completely, especially in the countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- Attaining the ultimate goal to eradicate polio worldwide as soon as possible.
- Contributing to the development of health organizations, strengthening routine immunization and monitoring communicable diseases systematically.
Official date:
Globally: October 24th, 2016
Locally: Muharrum 23rd, 1438H
Theme of World Polio Day 2016:
I want to end polio ... join me
Targeted groups:
Children (aged five years and below).
Children’s families and the general public.
Workers in medical field.
Decision makers in health organizations.
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