Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only 2 countries in which polio (Wild Polio Virus 1) remains endemic.The case count for this year now stands at 10 (Afghanistan, 6 and Pakistan 4).
Whilst it is disappointing that the case number is slowly growing as the year progresses, it is to be expected and just further underlines the need to continue the vaccination programs in these countries.
Until poliovirus transmission is interrupted in these countries, all countries remain at risk of importation of polio, especially vulnerable countries with weak public health and immunization services and travel or trade links to endemic countries.
Success in eradicating polio will mean that no more children will have to experience the devastating effects of the disease. Failure to eradicate polio could cause poliovirus to reappear around the world with an estimated 150,000-200,000 new cases expected every year within 10 years.
For the latest updates on polio eradication, click here.
For a great article about where we are and where we've come from in regards to Polio eradication, click here