Polio Remains Endemic in Nigeria, Pakistan And Afghanistan

Polio Remains Endemic in Nigeria, Pakistan And Afghanistan: Health Officials -- International Business Times

Although polio has been eradicated across much of the world, the disease remains endemic in Nigeria, Pakistan, Chad and Afghanistan, according to an international group.

Moreover, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), gaps in funding and insufficient immunization programs raises the threat of polio transmission in many countries.

GPEI is affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO).

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My Comment: With wars ongoing in these regions, I cannot see a polio vaccination program in place.

WHO To Declare Global Polio Emergency

World Health Organisation To Declare Global Polio Emergency -- The Telegraph

The World Health Organisation is expected this week to declare polio a global health emergency as it battles complacency in an attempt to eradicate the deadly virus forever.

This year has seen a decline in cases but health officials say they have only half the funding they need to wipe out the disease in its last three remaining havens — Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

Sona Bari, spokeswoman for the polio eradication programme at the World Health Organisation, said the world faced a “now or never” moment.

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My Comment: I do not see how it will be possible to eradicate polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan .... especially when aid workers are targeted by islamic extremists.

Polio Alert For Pakistan

Polio Virus In Pakistan: WHO Warns Of Travel Ban -- DAWN

ISLAMABAD, March 20: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned Pakistan that if the polio virus was not contained, it could face serious consequences such as travel and visa restrictions and sanctions imposed by countries across the world.

Dr Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General of Polio, Emergencies and Country Collaboration, WHO, told Dawn after a press conference organised by country office of WHO that lately the global community had been expressing its anxiety over the widespread prevalence of the virus in Pakistan.

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