Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI)

Since polio is a communicable disease with no cure, there has been great impetus to eradicate the illness. The goals set by the PEI are achievable because polio affects only humans, there is no animal reservoir, an effective and inexpensive vaccine exists, immunity against polio is life-long, and the virus survives for only a short time in the environment. Strategies include:
· supplementary doses of oral polio vaccine to all children under five years of age during national immunisation days
· four doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV) in the first year of life (routine immunisation)
· surveillance for wild polio through reporting
· laboratory testing of all cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) among children under fifteen years of age
· targeted “mop-up” campaigns once wild polio transmission is limited to a specific focal area.

Current Status of Polio

OPV has been administered to more than 2 billion children across 125 countries as part of the eradication program, and as part of routine immunisation in more than 200 countries. The incidence of polio has decreased from more than 350,000 cases in 1988 to 378 cases in 2006. Although the disease has been eliminated in many regions of the world, four countries including Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan remain endemic. In addition, eight countries including Somalia, Yemen, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Niger, Nepal and DRC have reported polio cases in 2006 due to spread from endemic regions. See Table 1 for confirmed polio cases in 2006, and Table 2 for confirmed cases of polio in endemic areas.

Table 1. Total Confirmed Polio Cases in 2006	Table 2. Total Confirmed Polio Cases in Endemic Regions in 2006

Challenges

Polio transmission continues to persist since some children are not immunised or receive incomplete vaccination. Overcoming this barrier requires a collaborative effort among all community members including political and religious leaders, healthcare professionals, teachers, volunteers and parents. It is pivotal to gain the trust of communities through educational awareness, and dispelling fears and myths regarding immunisation. Surveillance to immediately detect and respond to emergence of new cases is necessary, and it is important to ensure that all newborns receive vaccinations.

Conclusion

Historically, polio was a devastating disease which debilitated children worldwide. As a result, the global community mobilized preventative measures to eradicate polio and its catastrophic sequelae. These initiatives have highlighted exemplary collaboration among the international community in order to achieve a common goal for mankind. The success achieved thus far and future endeavors to wipe out polio can serve as a model for other communicable diseases.

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