Every year on 24th October, we observe world polio day to raise awareness of the importance of Polio vaccination to protect every child from this disease.
Polio (Poliomyelitis) is a life threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. In 1988, Poliovirus was present in 125 countries, paralyzing an estimated 1000 children per day. The WHO European region was declared polio free in 2002 and has sustained this status every year since then. But the disease remains consistently present in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
So the challenges are remain. To ensure a polio free future for everyone, efforts must continue maintain high immunization coverage, implement high quality surveillance to detect any presence of the virus and prepare to respond in the event of an outbreak.
Leo Hiruni Aththanayaka
First year
Faculty of Arts
