Eradication of poliomyelitis

Eradication of Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children. The disease is caused by the poliovirus, which can invade the nervous system and cause irreversible paralysis in a matter of hours. The global effort to eradicate polio has been one of the most ambitious public health initiatives in history.

History of Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis has been known since antiquity, with depictions of the disease found in ancient Egyptian art. The disease became more prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading to widespread epidemics in Europe and the United States. The development of the polio vaccine by Jonas Salk in 1955 and the oral polio vaccine by Albert Sabin in 1961 marked significant milestones in the fight against polio.

Global Eradication Efforts

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with UNICEF, the Rotary Foundation, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. At that time, polio was endemic in 125 countries, and there were an estimated 350,000 cases annually.

Strategies for Eradication

The GPEI employs several strategies to eradicate polio:

• Routine Immunization: Ensuring high coverage of polio vaccination in all countries.
• Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs): Conducting mass immunization campaigns to reach all children under five years of age.
• Surveillance: Establishing a sensitive surveillance system to detect and respond to polio cases.
• Mop-up Campaigns: Targeted immunization campaigns in areas where the virus is known or suspected to be circulating.

Challenges to Eradication

Despite significant progress, several challenges remain in the eradication of polio:

• Conflict and Insecurity: In regions affected by conflict, such as parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan, access to children for vaccination is limited.
• Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus: In rare cases, the oral polio vaccine can mutate and lead to vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) outbreaks.
• Public Mistrust: Misinformation and distrust of vaccines can hinder immunization efforts.

Current Status

As of 2023, polio remains endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. The number of polio cases has decreased by over 99% since the launch of the GPEI. Efforts continue to interrupt the transmission of the virus in the remaining endemic regions and to prevent outbreaks in polio-free areas.

Conclusion

The eradication of poliomyelitis is within reach, but sustained commitment and resources are necessary to overcome the final hurdles. The success of the polio eradication initiative will not only prevent future generations from suffering from this debilitating disease but also serve as a model for combating other infectious diseases.

See Also

• Poliovirus
• Vaccination
• Global health

References

• World Health Organization. "Poliomyelitis." [1]
• Global Polio Eradication Initiative. "History of Polio." [2]