Against a backdrop of widespread conflict, large population movements and a dearth of functioning government infrastructure, transmission of poliovirus in the country has been successfully stopped. This landmark victory is a result of the efforts of more than 10,000 Somali volunteers and health workers who repeatedly vaccinated more than 1.8 mln children under the age of five by visiting every household in every settlement multiple times, across a country ranked one of the most dangerous places on earth.
The use of innovative approaches tailored to conflict areas was pivotal in stopping polio in the country. These included increased community involvement and the effective use of monovalent vaccines to immunize children in insecure areas with several doses, within a short period of time.
“This truly historic achievement shows that polio can be eradicated everywhere, even in the most challenging and difficult settings,” said Dr Hussein A Gezairy, Regional Director for the World Health Organization’s Office for the
Polio, which can cause lifelong paralysis, has been stopped nearly everywhere in the world following a 20-year concerted international effort. Only four polio-endemic countries remain –
Poliovirus travels easily and, in the world of modern travel, can cover long distances. Until transmission of the virus has been interrupted in the four remaining endemic countries, the risk to the rest of the world remains high.Â
“Somalia beat polio in the midst of more widespread conflict and poverty than that affecting Afghanistan and Pakistan,†according to Dr Maritel Costales, Senior Health Advisor, UNICEF New York, citing insecurity and large population movements in those countries as challenges to reaching all children with vaccine. “But
Consistent financial commitment continues to be crucial to completing polio eradication. The global effort currently faces a shortage of US$525 mln for 2008-2009, funding urgently needed to fight the disease in the remaining endemic areas and protect children in high-risk polio-free areas. Rotary International, the top private sector contributor and volunteer arm of the GPEI, has contributed US$9.2 mln for polio eradication in
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“A polio-free world is a feasible public health goal and a global public good. I urge governments across the world – and in particular the G8 countries – to rapidly make available the necessary resources. Together, we can ensure that no child need ever again suffer the terrible pain of lifelong polio-paralysis.â€
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is spearheaded by national governments, WHO, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF. Since 1988, the incidence of polio has been reduced by more than 99%. At the time, more than 350,000 children were paralysed every year, in more than 125 endemic countries. In 2007, 1,308 cases were reported worldwide.