Rotary partners with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Rotary”s main responsibilities are fundraising, advocacy and volunteer recruitment. Rotary has contributed more than US$900 million to the polio eradication effort .
Polio was one of the most dreaded childhood diseases of the 20th century. Epidemics left thousands of children and adults paralyzed.
Most people with a polio virus infection are asymptomatic or have only minor symptoms. Approximately 1 in 1000 to 1 in 200 cases progress to paralytic disease.
 |
Polio
Polio is a contagious, historically devastating disease that was virtually eliminated from the Western hemisphere in the second half of the 20th century thanks to widespread vaccination.
|
| “ |
U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt contracted polio in August of 1921. The fight to end polio still continues. http://cot.ag/rrp79F |
|
|
Vaccines against polio were discovered in the mid 20th century.
 |
Polio — Timelines — History of Vaccines
Few diseases frightened parents more in the early part of the 20th century than polio did. Polio struck in the warm summer months, sweeping through towns in epidemics every few years. Though most people recovered quickly from polio, some suffered temporary or permanent paralysis and even death.
|
 |
A Science Odyssey: People and Discoveries: Salk produces polio vaccine
Poliomyelitis has been around since ancient times. There is still no cure for the disease. But at the peak of its devastation in the United States, Jonas Salk introduced a way to prevent it. This infectious viral disease attacks the nerve cells and sometimes the central nervous system, often causing muscle wasting and paralysis and even death.
|
Rotary began immunizing children against polio in 1985.
 |
Global Polio Eradication Initiative > Home
More than half the world’s cases of wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3) this year have occurred in Côte d’Ivoire (28 out of the global total of 49 WPV3 cases). The overall security situation is reportedly much improved, however, allowing vaccinators to move in and rapidly build immunity in the country.
|
| “ |
Millions of children were vaccinated against polio in Brazil yesterday. Great job Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors !#rotary #endpolionow |
|
|
To be certified Polio Free by WHO a Region has to demonstrate:
1. at least three years of zero polio cases due to indigenous wild poliovirus;
2. excellent surveillance; and
3. capacity of each country to detect, report and respond to imported polio cases.
Americas achieve polio-free status in 1994.
Western Pacific Region, including China and Japan, polio-free in 2000.
European Region declared polio-free in 2002.
| “ |
The Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee and his wife, Binota will arrive Nigeria on Sunday 14th August,2011. During his visit, he is expected to hold talk swith the Federal Government on the progress made on polio eradication which Rotary initiated worldwide. |
|
|
In 2010 only four countries in the world remain polio-endemic: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.
 |
Rotary International INPPS
The war against Polio continues… but the victory is now in sight! The crippling disease that held the world to ransom in the 1950′s and 1960′s has almost been eliminated with those two tiny drops of oral polio vaccine, a well thought out strategy, large financial resources and the dedication and commitment of thousands of devoted volunteers and international health agencies.
|
| “ |
Rocking with fellow Rotarians at a l Foundation Workshop. This morning we are overwhelmed with the proof that individuals can change the world. Rotary Clubs worldwide are speading peace, providing access to clean water, increasing literacy, and are just inches away from wiping Polio off the face of the earth. ROCK ON! |
|
|
Raising Awareness of Polio
Grammy Award winning singer @Tanvisha joins @Rotary's This Close campaign to support our fight against polio http://twitpic.com/64gb2q
Photo by EndPolioNow on twitter
| “ |
RT @rotaract: Join Bill Gates and Desmond Tutu. Be in a “This Close” ad. Spread the word about Rotary”s promise to end polio. http://www.thisclose.net |
|
|
| “ |
Use a This Close ad for your Twitter profile the week of World Polio Day. |
|
|
Fundraising Ideas
 |
Event Planner
PolioPlus Fundraising Ideas List: 12 Events The goal is to give all Rotary Clubs an opportunity to get involved in their choice of one or two of 12 activities that are pre-designated on a website. A majority of these ideas are on focusing the energy outside of the club while a few will be focused on internal club activities.
|
