Dear Editor,
Yesterday was World Polio Day. This year’s theme was ‘End Polio Now’.
On June 12th 2018 CNN Health asked the question ‘Is Polio re-emerging in Venezuela nearly 30 years after eradication?’ The Western Hemisphere was certified Polio Free in 1994 by the World Health Organisation. In a statement to CNN, the WHO said, “an acute flaccid paralysis case is currently being investigated” in the state of Delta Amacuro, Venezuela, home to the Warao indigenous people. Acute flaccid paralysis is a sudden onset of weakness in or loss of the ability to move any part of the body of a child less than 15 years of age. This diagnosis of acute flaccid paralysis in a child comes as Venezuela, with an estimated population of 31.3 million, experiences political and economic turmoil, resulting in a humanitarian and health care crisis.
According to the World Health Organization, poliomyelitis, known as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease that invades the brain and spinal cord and causes permanent paralysis in a small proportion of patients. There is no cure and it can be deadly. The virus, which mainly affects young children, spreads from person to person and can also be transmitted through contaminated food and water. In Guyana, the last case of Polio was diagnosed in 1962. Guyana has had a robust vaccination programme with help from PAHO since the 1970’s
Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) has been credited as one of the most crucial factors in the elimination of polio in the Americas. OPV was introduced in the 1970s. Outbreaks highlight the importance of maintaining high polio vaccination coverage. In areas of poor healthcare infrastructure and social and political instability, public health capacity is often lacking. The re-emergence of polio in the Americas potentially signals a significant setback for the global eradication effort.
Rotary International is a leader in the fight to eradicate Polio. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is a leading funder in the fight against Polio globally. Its contribution to date is US$1.7 billion inclusive of matching funds from Gates Foundation. Last year the Rotary Club of Demerara donated to the Rotary Foundation US$11,000 with much assistance from the business community.
Yours faithfully,
Renata Chuck-A-Sang
