Progress toward eradicating poliomyelitis from the Americas

Article Abstract:

Every year an estimated 250,000 cases of paralytic poliomyelitis (polio) occur worldwide. Dramatic reductions in this disease were achieved in 1955 and again in 1961 when vaccines were introduced. These gains occurred mainly in developed countries such as the US. Between 1975 and 1984, the number of Western Hemisphere nations reporting polio cases dropped from 19 to 11. These encouraging developments prompted the Pan American Health Organization to launch a plan to eliminate transmission of polioviruses in the Americas by 1990. Fundamental aspects of the plan were rapid diagnosis of suspected cases, prevention of transmission and vaccination of 80 percent of children. As a result, major reductions in reported cases have occurred annually. For example, polio in the Western Hemisphere was reduced from 930 cases in 1986 to 335 cases in 1988. Currently, polio activity is described as low and stable, with no major outbreaks since 1986. Although the goal of vaccinating 80 percent of children in the Americas by 1990 may not be met, polio eradication programs are functioning smoothly. Maintenance of these efforts should make elimination of polio from the Americas possible. The World Health Organization has announced a goal of eradicating polio worldwide by the year 2000. International cooperation and funding will be required to meet this goal.

International aspects, Identification and classification, Poliovirus, Polioviruses, Poliomyelitis vaccine, Poliovirus vaccines

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Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication - South East Asia region, 1988-1994

Article Abstract:

Routine mass vaccination programs and detection of cases of acute paralysis will be necessary to reduce the incidence of polio in the South East Asia region (SEAR). SEAR accounts for 58% of all polio cases worldwide. Within SEAR, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Nepal account for 99% of cases. The incidence of polio has dropped substantially in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Mongolia since 1988. Overall, the incidence of polio in SEAR dropped 82%. Many SEAR countries will begin National Immunization Days (NID) during which young children will be vaccinated. Thailand was the first to implement NIDs in August, 1994, when 95% of children under 5 were vaccinated. Sub-Saharan Africa is another area where polio is endemic.

Health aspects, Southeast Asia

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Progress toward global eradication of poliomyelitis, 2002

Article Abstract:

A total of 134 countries, areas, and territories have been certified as being free of wild poliovirus as of the end of 2002. However, there were 1,920 cases of polio in 2003, compared to 483 in 2001. This is mostly due to outbreaks of polio in India and northern Nigeria.

World, Labor Distribution by Employer, Statistics

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