Page 10 - October 2018 Gears & Ears

Gears and Ears

Journal of The Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista

october 2018
WORLD POLIO DAY - October 24th

Polio - Poliomyelitis (polio) is a paralyzing and potentially
fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of
the world. The poliovirus invades the nervous system and
can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It can strike
at any age but mainly affects children under five. Polio is
incurable, but completely vaccine-preventable.

PolioPlus - In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus
program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication
through the mass vaccination of children. Rotary has
contributed more than $1.8 billion and countless volunteer
hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122
countries. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have
played a role in decisions by donor governments to
contribute more than $7.2 billion to the effort.

Global Polio Eradication Initiative - The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, formed in 1988, is
a public-private partnership that includes Rotary, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and governments of
the world. Rotary’s focus is advocacy, fund raising, volunteer recruitment, and awareness-building.

Polio Today - Today, there are only three countries that have never stopped transmission of the wild
poliovirus: Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Just 22 polio cases were confirmed worldwide in 2017,
which is a reduction of more than 99.9 percent since the 1980s, when the world saw about 1,000 cases
per day.

Challenges - The polio cases represented by the remaining one percent are the most difficult to
prevent, due to factors including geographical isolation, poor public infrastructure, armed conflict, and
cultural barriers. Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks.

Ensuring Success - Rotary will raise $50 million per year over a three-year period, with every
dollar to be matched with two additional dollars from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These
funds help to provide much-needed operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment,
and educational materials for health workers and parents. Governments, corporations, and private
individuals all play a crucial role in funding.

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