According to the World Health Organisation, Poliomyelitis or polio is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under 5 years of age and causes paralysis. While poliovirus cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988 due to successful development of the polio vaccine, as of 2022, polio remains a problem in two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Organised by Rotary International, the conference sought to commemorate Rotary International’s efforts in the fight against polio and to address the challenges ahead.
Joseph Faber from Rotary International explains that 370 million children of all ages need to be vaccinated against polio until 2026 until polio can be completely eradicated. He continues that last year, there were only 12 cases of polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since January this year, four more cases were reported altogether. Even if these numbers don’t seem worrying, continued vaccinations are imperative, explains Faber:
“In some years, maybe 10 years, another 100,000 children are infected. So even if the virus is circulating, only 1 in 300 would get paralysed. But all the others who are infected would be protected but could pass on the virus to someone who isn’t vaccinated.”
As the disease does not show any symptoms, fears always remain that the disease can spread quickly without anyone taking notice. According to Dr Anne Vergison of the government’s Health Inspection Department, in Luxembourg, measures are in place in order to keep an eye on any potential infections or risks of the virus spreading by taking note of individuals that are traveling from countries were polio is still in circulation. She continues:
“Here we do anayses in order to be sure that people are not carrying the polio virus. This we also have to report back to the WHO.”
Yearly, the Luxembourgish government invests €1 million in the fight against polio.
Watch the report in Luxembourgish:
