Three Polio cases reported this week.  See the updated numbers attached.
What is that Polio Picture?  It's a beautiful END POLIO NOW light-up in Pakistan.  In the first half of 2015 we have seen the lowest number of cases ever during this period, with just 33 cases in 2 countries as opposed to 122 cases in 9 countries at this time in 2014. This progress needs to be maintained through hard work to end transmission in endemic countries and to prevent future outbreaks.  And I wonder Could 2015-16 be the year of the final Polio case?
 
 
 
 
Quote of the day - "The finest slogans are useless without action".  Past RI President Herb J Taylor - In his address to the 1955 RI Convention
Africa - It has been over 11 months since the last Polio case was reported in Somalia,  11 months for Nigeria, and over 12 months for Cameroon.  
Pakistan - Two new Polio cases reported in Pakistan this past week.  Sorry for the error, last week I quoted a report which stated that 256 children had been paralyzed Polio in 2015.  Of course, it should have read 26!  (Now 28) 
 
 
The Final Three Endemic Countries:
 
Pakistan - Twenty Eight Polio cases reported in 2015 with 306 cases recorded in 2014  The most recent case was reported on 06/30/15 in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.    
Afghanistan - Five Polio cases reported in 2015 with 28 cases recorded in 2014. The most recent case was reported on 06/07/15 from the Balabuluk District of the Farah Province.   
Nigeria - Zero Polio cases reported in 2015 with 6 cases recorded in 2014.  The most recent case was reported on 7/24/14.  
 
Importation Countries:
 
Ethiopia Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 1 case in 2014. 
Cameroon Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 5 cases in 2014
 
Somalia - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 5 cases in 2014.   
Iraq - Zero Polio cases reported in 2015 with 2 cases in 2014
Syria - Zero Polio cases reported in 2015 with 1 case in 2014. 
Equatorial Guinea - Zero Polio Cases reported in 2015 with 5 cases in 2014.