The World Health Organization has officially declared the eradication of two of the three wild poliovirus strains, marking a significant milestone in global healthcare.

This achievement is a testament to years of hard work by healthcare professionals, public health workers, and volunteers across the world.

What is Polio?

Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to severe paralysis or death. There are three strains of the wild poliovirus, and until recently, it was endemic in three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

It spreads through contaminated water and food. Infants and young children are most vulnerable to polio, but the virus can infect anyone.

Poliomyelitis Vaccines

There are two types of polio vaccines: the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). IPV is injected into a muscle, whereas OPV is administered orally. Both vaccines are highly effective in preventing polio.

Global Polio Eradication Initiative

In 1988, the World Health Assembly launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a public-private partnership dedicated to ending polio.

The GPEI has since become the largest public health initiative in history and has mobilized billions of dollars and millions of people to eradicate polio.

Poliomyelitis Eradication Efforts

Eradicating polio is a complex and challenging task. The GPEI has implemented several strategies to achieve this goal:.

Immunization campaigns: The GPEI conducts mass immunization campaigns in high-risk areas, targeting children under the age of five. The campaigns involve vaccinating every child multiple times.
Surveillance: The GPEI conducts extensive surveillance to monitor the transmission and circulation of poliovirus. The surveillance system involves testing children with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) for polio and collecting environmental samples from sewage.
Social mobilization: The GPEI works with communities to raise awareness about polio and the importance of vaccination. Social mobilization activities include door-to-door visits, community meetings, and mass media campaigns.

The Eradication of Type 2 and Type 3 Polioviruses

In 2015, Nigeria marked its last case of wild poliovirus, and in 2019, all African countries were declared free of wild polio. In September 2020, the WHO announced that the wild poliovirus type 3 had been eradicated worldwide.

And on 24th August 2021, the WHO declared the complete eradication of wild poliovirus type 2. This marks a significant milestone in the global effort to eradicate polio and protect future generations from this debilitating disease.

The Challenge of Eradicating Wild Poliovirus Type 1

Wild poliovirus type 1 remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan. These two countries pose significant challenges to eradication efforts due to the ongoing conflict, insecurity, and weak health systems.

Eradicating the virus in these areas will require strong political commitment, innovative strategies, and sustained international support.

The Continuing Role of Vaccines

Despite the eradication of two of the wild poliovirus strains, the importance of polio vaccines remains as important as ever. Vaccines are a critical tool in preventing the reintroduction of poliovirus and protecting populations from outbreaks.

The GPEI will continue to conduct surveillance, immunization campaigns, and other activities to keep the remaining strains of wild poliovirus at bay and ensure a polio-free world for generations to come.

Conclusion

The eradication of two of the three strains of wild poliovirus is a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the power of global collaboration, scientific innovation, and unwavering dedication to public health.

While the eradication of the third strain will require continued efforts, the progress made so far has put us one step closer to a polio-free world.