Polio eradication
Polio Eradication
Polio eradication (pronunciation: /ˈpōlēˌō/ /ˌerəˈdāSH(ə)n/) is a global public health initiative aimed at the complete elimination of all cases of poliomyelitis (polio) from the world.
Etymology
The term "polio eradication" is derived from the name of the disease it seeks to eliminate, "polio", which is short for poliomyelitis. The word "poliomyelitis" is from the Greek words "polios" meaning grey and "myelos" meaning marrow, referring to the grey matter of the spinal cord. "Eradication" comes from the Latin "eradicare", meaning to uproot or eliminate.
Overview
Polio eradication efforts are coordinated by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a public-private partnership led by national governments and spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The goal of the GPEI is to ensure that no child will ever again be paralyzed by the poliovirus.
History
The global drive to eradicate polio began in 1988 and has made significant progress, with the number of cases reduced by 99.9%. The disease remains endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as of 2021.
Strategies
Key strategies for polio eradication include routine immunization, supplementary immunization campaigns, and surveillance of possible outbreaks. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) are the primary tools used in the global eradication effort.
Related Terms
- Poliomyelitis: An infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, which can lead to paralysis and death.
- Global Polio Eradication Initiative: The public-private partnership leading the effort to eradicate polio.
- Oral polio vaccine: A vaccine administered orally to protect against polio.
- Inactivated polio vaccine: A vaccine administered by injection to protect against polio.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Polio eradication
- Wikipedia's article - Polio eradication
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