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 DO YOU REMEMBER?

 POLIO, Those of us of more mature years may well remember the worry and anxiety of our parents over what was also known as  "Infantile Paralysis". The Iron Lungs, the wasted, disfiguring and crippled limbs of young children. Apart from the enlightened few, children and young people today will never have heard of POLIO.

 How many people will know that POLIO is still a major problem and a threat today?

 Effective vaccines were developed during the 1940`s and 50`s and the last reported case in the United Kingdom was in 1969. ( An adult despite the most vulnerable being  children under 10years). By 1985 North America, Britain, most of Europe and Australia were free of POLIO.

 However despite the availability of low cost effective vaccine POLIO remained endemic in the rest of the world. In1985 there were over 350000 reported cases world wide. All that was required was a program of vaccination, quite a challenge! However one group of people said OK we could do it, why should children suffer when a vaccine is readily available?

Rotary in 1985 pledged itself to rid the world of POLIO. Today,  2010, Rotary clubs in 200 Countries of all races and religions are working together to finish the job. The World Heath Organisation, and various Governments are working together with Rotary to finish the job helped by large donations from Bill Gates.

As I write only Four Countries still have endemic POLIO, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, and this year up to the 27th April only 87 cases  have been reported.

There is still a long way to go and lot of work to do in some very difficult and sometimes dangerous areas.

 Why should we be concerned in this country? I am informed by experts that before a country or area can be declared free of Polio three years must pass without any cases being reported.  In addition I am also told that the vaccination we had as children is only effective for ten years. With the ease and speed of international travel are we, our children, our grand children at risk? Until the vaccination programs are completed I think we are. Within the last two months six children have been struck down with Polio in a country previously declared free, it had been imported over the border from another country by an infected adult. This has happened in a number of African countries also.

 If you would like to know more about Rotary's Polio Eradication Programme go to www.rotary1150.org or www.ribi.org and follow the links.

 JOHN OWEN
20th May 2010

 PS

Dr John Hooper, writing in the South Wales Echo 15th July, says "Many citizens have moved to the UK after the age at which we vaccinate our children and then travel to their country of origin for family visits,  running the risk of contracting the illness and bringing it back to the UK".

I am reliably informed that the vaccination we received as children is only effective for ten years.

A very good reason for Rotary to continue and complete its Polio eradication programme.