World Polio Day being observed today

World Polio Day is being observed today (Sunday) — established by Rotary International over a decade ago to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis.

The day is observed every year on October 24, aiming to raise awareness of vaccination and eradication of polio.  

As per World Health Organization (WHO), use of the poliovirus vaccine and subsequent widespread use of the oral poliovirus, developed by Albert Sabin, led to the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988.

As of 2013, GPEI had reduced polio worldwide by 99%.

The last stronghold of poliovirus is in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Several critical challenges stand in the way of achieving eradication, including the global pandemic.

What is Polio? 

Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease. Caused by RNA virus, the infection is paralytic. Poliovirus is most commonly spread in the areas of poor sanitation.

There is no cure, but there are safe and effective vaccines.

The virus can be spread through contaminated food and water as well.

The Polio vaccine, given multiple times, almost always protects a child for life. The strategy to eradicate polio is, therefore based on preventing infection by immunizing every child until transmission stops, and the world is polio-free.