World Polio Day is a significant global health observance established by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, the scientist who developed the polio vaccine. The day, which falls on 24th October, is a crucial part of efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis.
This remarkable achievement has its roots dating back to the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, which has been instrumental in reducing polio worldwide by a staggering 99%. This initiative marked a new era in global health, proving that it is possible to fight, control, and ultimately aim to eradicate infectious diseases.
Milestones in Polio Eradication
World Polio Day not only commemorates the past but also marks significant milestones in the journey towards eradication. Most notably, in 2019 the independent Global Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (GCC) officially declared Wild Polio Virus type 3 (WPV3) as globally eradicated. This followed the successful elimination of smallpox and wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2).
The three strains of poliovirus – WPV1, WPV2, and WPV3 – while identical symptomatically, differ genetically and virologically. These differences have meant that each strain had to be eradicated individually.
As of now, both WPV2 and WPV3 have been eradicated globally, while WPV1 remains in circulation in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Understanding Polio: A Crippling and Fatal Disease
Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is a potentially fatal viral infectious disease. It is characterised by symptoms such as irreversible paralysis or even death. There is no known cure for polio, but it can be prevented through immunization. This prevention-centric strategy forms the bedrock of global efforts to eradicate polio.
There are two vaccines against polio in use today: the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the injectable polio vaccine (IPV). Both vaccines have contributed enormously to the global fight against polio.
India’s Journey to a Polio-Free Status
In 2014, as a result of nationwide vaccination drives and persistent awareness campaigns, India received polio-free certification from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a significant milestone in the country’s public health history and progressing global efforts to eradicate polio.
Differentiating Between Disease Eradication and Elimination
While the terms ‘eradication’ and ‘elimination’ are often used interchangeably in discussions about disease control, they refer to specific stages in disease reduction.
Eradication is the complete and permanent worldwide reduction of new cases of an infectious disease through deliberate efforts. When a disease has been eradicated, no further control measures are required. Smallpox, for example, has been successfully eradicated.
On the other hand, elimination refers to a reduction to zero, or a very low defined target rate, of new cases of an infectious disease in a specific geographical area. Continued measures are necessary to prevent re-establishment of disease transmission. In India, diseases such as Yaws and Leprosy have been successfully eliminated.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Year World Polio Day was established | 24th October |
| Developed the polio vaccine | Jonas Salk |
| Year Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was established | 1988 |
| Percentage reduction in polio worldwide since initiation of GPEI | 99% |
| Countries where WPV1 is still present | Afghanistan, Pakistan |