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Polio Highlight

¹ú²úÂ鶹¾«Æ· celebrates 30 years without wild polio in the Americas

Washington, D.C., October 23, 2024 (¹ú²úÂ鶹¾«Æ·) - On World Polio Day (October 24), the ¹ú²úÂ鶹¾«Æ· (¹ú²úÂ鶹¾«Æ·) celebrated the 30th anniversary of the certification of the eradication of wild poliovirus transmission in the Region of the Americas. In 1975, the region reported nearly 6,000 cases of polio. However, thanks to child vaccination and sustained surveillance implemented by governments with the support of ¹ú²úÂ鶹¾«Æ· and partners, the last case of wild poliovirus was detected in September 1991 in Peru. In 1994, the region was certified as free of this disease.

"Achieving a milestone like this is not easy. It involves a lot of work, commitment, and tenacity from thousands of health workers, researchers, partners, and all the people responsible for vaccinating their children," ¹ú²úÂ鶹¾«Æ· Director Jarbas Barbosa said. However, Dr Barbosa warned about the persistence of poliovirus in other parts of the world. "Until we eradicate the poliovirus globally, we must maintain high vaccination coverage and adequate surveillance to detect any imported cases," he emphasized.

Read the complete press release here: https://¹ú²úÂ鶹¾«Æ· celebrates 30 years without wild polio in the Americas