Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the nervous system. It can cause paralysis, muscle weakness, and even death.

Once a worldwide epidemic, polio has now been reduced by 80% globally, thanks to various global health initiatives and vaccination programs.

What is Polio?

Polio is caused by the poliovirus, which spreads from person to person through contact with fecal matter or respiratory secretions. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the throat and intestines.

In severe cases, the virus can enter the bloodstream and attack the nervous system, leading to paralysis.

Global Efforts to Combat Polio

The global efforts to combat polio began in 1988, with the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

GPEI is a partnership between various organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Rotary International, and the CDC. Its goal is to eliminate polio from the world through vaccination campaigns, surveillance, and monitoring.

One of the main strategies to combat polio is vaccination. The polio vaccine is highly effective in preventing the disease. It is available in two forms, the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

OPV is cheaper and easier to administer, which made it the primary vaccine used in polio vaccination campaigns. IPV, on the other hand, is more expensive and requires trained medical staff to administer, which limited its use in low-income countries.

Despite the challenges, the GPEI has made significant progress in reducing polio incidence globally. According to the WHO, since the launch of GPEI, the number of polio cases has decreased by over 99%.

In 1988, there were an estimated 350,000 polio cases worldwide. In 2019, there were only 176 confirmed cases in two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Challenges and Controversies

While the GPEI has made significant progress in reducing polio incidence globally, there are still challenges and controversies surrounding the initiative.

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One of the challenges is the vaccine’s effectiveness. While the polio vaccine is highly effective, in rare cases, it can cause the disease it is meant to prevent. This is because the oral polio vaccine (OPV) contains weakened but live poliovirus.

In rare cases, the virus can mutate and cause polio. This phenomenon is known as vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV).

Another challenge is vaccine hesitancy. Some parents in low-income countries are hesitant to vaccinate their children due to lack of awareness, mistrust of the healthcare system, or religious beliefs.

This hesitancy has led to a resurgence of polio in some countries. For example, Nigeria was declared polio-free in 2015, but in 2019, a new outbreak occurred due to vaccine hesitancy and insufficient immunization coverage.

In addition to these challenges, there have been controversies surrounding the GPEI. Some critics argue that the campaign has been too focused on polio, neglecting other health issues such as malnutrition and maternal and child health.

Others argue that the GPEI is a Western-led initiative that disregards local culture and customs.

The Future of Polio Eradication

Despite the challenges and controversies, the GPEI is committed to eradicating polio from the world. To achieve this goal, the initiative has adopted a new strategy known as the Polio Endgame Strategy 2019-2023.

The new strategy has three primary objectives:.

• Stopping all polio transmission
• Strengthening immunization systems
• Withdrawing oral polio vaccine and containing the risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus

Under this strategy, the GPEI will focus on improving immunization coverage, surveillance, and outbreak response. It will also work to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine safety.

In addition, the initiative will collaborate with other health programs to address other health issues such as malnutrition and maternal and child health.

While the GPEI’s goal of eradicating polio from the world is ambitious, it is achievable. With continued global efforts and commitment from the international community, we can make polio a thing of the past.