The number of wild polioviruse cases in Pakistan continue to rise and are now at 45 cases reported in 2019 vs 12 cases in all of 2018.

Numerous factors have contributed to the rise:

• Fake news that vaccinations were causing children to become ill, and as a result, mistrust has increased.
• Vaccination teams suffering attacks/deaths, and as a result, all vaccinations were stopped for an extended period.
• Elections were taking place resulting in local officials being replaced.
• The weather has been hot favoring the virus.

There is some good news. A new streamlined vaccination drive was announced to make vaccination campaigns faster, less intrusive and friendlier to the families being visited. However, Aziz Memon (Pakistan’s RI Polio Coordinator) said that eradicating Polio in Pakistan may take longer than hoped.

Total # of wild polio cases in 2019: 56. Compared to 12 in same period last year.
Afghanistan: 11, Pakistan: 45, Nigeria: 0

Please plan on attending our World Polio Day Event, Thursday, October 24, at Segra Park, Columbia, SC (11:00am – 2:00pm) . Join us for food, fellowship, fun, music, and beer! Help us raise awareness for the eradication Polio Worldwide.

Thank you for all you do to End Polio,

Bernie
End Polio Now Chair
District 7770
“Countdown to History”