World Polio Day serves as a reminder of the devastation caused by the polio epidemic in the early 20th century. Every year on October 24, groups and individuals from all over the world join forces to declare their opposition to the eradication of polio. By raising awareness of the disease, we can renew our commitment to polio eradication on World Polio Day.
Since 1980, the number of cases of wild poliovirus has decreased by over 99.9%, according to the WHO, as a result of global vaccination efforts. Every year on October 24, countries around the world observe World Polio Day. This is to raise awareness about polio vaccination and eradication efforts as well as to encourage continued vigilance in the fight against the disease.
On this day, international organisations call on parents and guardians to vaccinate their kids against this illness. Let’s find out more about today.
World Polio Day 2023
On October 24, 2023, people around the world will commemorate World Polio Day. Every year, this day is celebrated to honour the progress that has been made in the fight against polio. It highlights the efforts of the frontline workers who supply vaccines in polio-hit countries.
History of World Polio Day
To recognise the anniversary of Jonas Salk’s birth, the world observes World Polio Day. He led the first team to create the Inactivated (Killed) Polio Vaccine (IPV) against the illness.
The day was officially established by Rotary International in 1985. Rotary is an international service organisation. Its goal is to advance goodwill, peace, and understanding around the world by bringing together business, professional, and community leaders to serve others.
Early in the 20th century, when polio was paralysing thousands of children annually, it was deemed a public health emergency. Only after the development of polio vaccines in the 1950s and 1960s was it brought under control.
History of Polio Eradication:
| Date | Event |
| 1894 | The first significant polio outbreak in the United States happened in Vermont. |
| 1905 | Swedish doctor Ivar Wickman recognised polio as a communicable illness. |
| 1916 | A significant outbreak claimed the lives of 6,000 Americans nationwide and 2,000 in New York. |
| 1929 | For those with paralytic polio, an artificial respirator was developed. |
| 1955 | An effective and safe vaccine was created by Dr. Jonas Salk. |
| 1960 | The oral polio vaccine created by Dr. Albert Sabin has received US government approval. |
| 1979 | The campaign to end polio was launched by Rotary International. In order to immunise 6 million children in the Philippines, a multi-year project has been started. |
| 1985 | PolioPlus, an international coordinated private-sector support of a public health initiative, was introduced by Rotary International. The day serves as World Polio Day. |
| 1988 | GPEI was established by Rotary International and the WHO. |
| 1994 | It was declared that polio had been wiped out in the Americas. |
| 1995 | In one week, 165 million kids received vaccinations in China and India. |
| 2000 | The oral polio vaccine was given to a record 550 million kids, or almost 10% of the world’s population. |
| 2004 | The largest polio vaccination campaign took place in Africa, where 23 countries targeted 80 million children. |
| 2006 | There are still polio outbreaks in Afghanistan, Nigeria, India, and Pakistan. |
| 2009 | Along with a $200 million donation from Rotary, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged $355 million. With this, Rotary has contributed close to $800 million to the fight against polio. |
| 2012 | India records no cases for a full year and is taken off the list of endemic countries. |
| 2014 | The WHO has declared India polio-free. Worldwide polio cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988. |
| 2019 | For three years, there have been no cases in Nigeria. |
| 2020 | The WHO has declared polio-free zones in Africa and the surrounding areas. |
But, what is Polio?
Polio or poliomyelitis is described by the WHO as “a highly contagious viral disease, primarily affecting young children.” It is a neurological condition that can be fatal and is incapacitating.The poliovirus is the disease that causes polio, which can be fatal and cause disabilities.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was founded in 1988 as a result of the widespread use of the oral poliovirus that followed the use of the poliovirus vaccine. According to data gathered up until 2013, GPEI has almost 99% less polio worldwide.
Polio in India
- The country’s last wild poliovirus case was discovered on January 13, 2011. As a result, the WHO certified India as being polio-free in 2014. This accomplishment was made possible by the effective pulse polio campaign, which involved giving polio drops to all kids.
- Since March 2014, the government has made the oral polio vaccine (OPV) required for travellers between India and polio-affected nations like Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Syria, and Cameroon in order to stop the virus from entering India.
World Polio Day 2023: It’s Time to Make Polio History
Less than 10 cases of wild poliovirus are reported each year, down from more than 350,000 cases previously. Only two nations, Afghanistan and Pakistan, continue to consistently have the disease.
On World Polio Day, the CDC recognises this development and joins its GPEI partners in the appeal to remove the remaining obstacles so that polio is a thing of the past.
Every year on October 24, we observe World Polio Day to celebrate the many parents, professionals, and volunteers whose efforts have made polio eradication possible and to raise awareness of the value of polio vaccination in protecting all children from this deadly disease.
Everyone needs to have a future free of polio, so efforts must be made to keep immunisation rates high, implement high-quality surveillance to find any instances of the virus, and be ready to act in the event of an outbreak.
Read more:
World Osteoporosis Day 2023: Step Up For Bone Health
Intestinal Worms: Everything You Need To Know About Them
जानिए कोरोना वायरस के नए वैरिएंट के बारे में: EG.5
