CLOSER THAN EVER TO ERADICATING POLIO

The global effort to wipe out polio, a disease that killed thousands and paralyzed tens of thousands of children in the US and the UK not that long ago, is tightening the noose around the deadly poliomyelitis virus.

Polio survivors/RIBI Image Library

The Global Eradication Inititative announced today that so far this year 27 children have been diagnosed from polio, down from 51 at this time last year. Just three countries are still finding new cases, Pakistan, Afghnistan and Nigeria. Despite war and instability, volunteers continue to bring vaccines to where they are needed, often despite great personal risk.

Type 3 polio virus

It will not be long before this ancient scourge, like smallpox, will be eliminated forever. The day can't come too soon.