World Polio Cases Rise

Despite progress from increased eradication activities in certain regions, the number of polio cases worldwide is rising.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of December 30, 2004 there were 1185 confirmed cases of polio in 17 countries, compared to 677 cases in 13 countries in 2003. In addition, the virus began spreading again in five countries that had been free of polio: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast and Sudan.

However, intensified eradication activities were having a positive effect in Asia. An increase in the quality and quantity of poliomyelitis campaigns in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan reduced the geographical distribution of poliovirus in those countries, with altogether just 179 cases reported compared with 266 for the same period in 2003. In Egypt, poliovirus transmission fell to its lowest level ever, just one case, as the quality of poliomyelitis campaigns improved further.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which is leading the global effort to fight polio, is spearheaded by WHO, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF. The U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) joined the global eradication initiative in 1996 after supporting the successful eradication program in the Americas.

USAID supports polio eradication in more than 40 countries with a special focus on the six remaining endemic countries. Since 1996, USAID has contributed nearly $360 million to support this massive global public health initiative.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus which invades the nervous system. It can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. The disease can strike at any age but mainly affects children under three years of age.