Eradicating Polio in India was a feat of dedication, commitment, and doubling down on immunization activities. Given India's vast population, tropical climate, and other environmental challenges, it would be easy to imagine that if Polio couldn't be stopped, India would be the place to fail. After all, India constituted over 60% of all polio cases as recently as 2009. However, in 2014, India was officially declared Polio-free, along with the rest of the South-East Asia Region. Success in India really changed the game, and now serves as an example that eradication of Polio is indeed possible when the world marshals political will and commits adequate resources to the cause that effects everyone worldwide.
Pakistan - No new Polio Cases reported since 10/7/18. Eight cases reported in 2018, all from just four districts. Twenty years ago the entire country was affected by polio, and every year, more than 35,000 children were paralyzed for life by the disease.
Nigeria - No new Wild Polio Cases have been reported in 2017 or 2018. Most recent case was reported on 8/20/16. Nigeria is to be congratulated on 2-1/4 years without a Wild Polio case!
Afghanistan - No new Polio cases reported this week. Nineteen cases reported in 2018 with the most recent case with the onset of paralysis on 10/2/18.
Zero is the magic number! The three year "Countdown to History" starts after the final Wild Polio case. As of last week, we count seven weeks since the report of the most recent Wild Polio case.
