World Polio Day 2024, History, Theme, Significance
World Polio Day 2024 is being celebrated on October 24. World Polio Day 2024 emphasizes global efforts to eradicate polio, the role of vaccination, and the vital contributions of health workers.
Deeksha Dixit24 Oct, 2024
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World Polio Day 2024 is being observed on October 24 to raise awareness about the efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio) and to honour the healthcare workers and volunteers who contribute to this global cause. Despite the significant reduction in polio cases worldwide, there are still challenges in completely eradicating the disease.
World Polio Day 2024 serves as a reminder that the fight continues, especially in regions where the virus remains endemic. Keep reading to explore the history of World Polio Day, the global initiatives to eradicate polio, and the significance of this event.World Polio Day 2024 Overview
Even though most of the world is now polio-free, challenges persist, especially in certain regions. World Polio Day promotes continued vigilance, policy-making, and public health initiatives to ensure the disease doesn’t make a resurgence. World Polio Day 2024 is being celebrated with the slogan “Let's #EndPolio ”.| World Polio Day 2024 Overview | |
| Particular | Details |
| Date | October 24, 2024 |
| Established by | Rotary International |
| Types of Wild Poliovirus (WPV) | Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 |
| Current Situation | Wild poliovirus type 1 remains in two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan. (2022) |
| Global Initiative | Global Polio Eradication Initiative |
| 2024 Theme | A Global Mission to Reach Every Child |
| Slogan | Let's #EndPolio |
World Polio Day 2024 Theme
The theme for World Polio Day 2024 is 'A Global Mission to Reach Every Child'. This highlights the effort to ensure that all children everywhere receive their polio vaccinations. The aim is to protect every child from this disease and move towards a world free of polio. The World Polio Day 2024 theme encourages the public to support vaccination drives for children and emphasizes the critical role of healthcare workers and volunteers in the fight against polio.World Polio Day History
World Polio Day was established by Rotary International to commemorate the work of Jonas Salk, who developed the first successful polio vaccine in 1955. His vaccine dramatically reduced polio cases, but the fight for total eradication continues. Here are some key milestones related to World Polio Day:- 1955: Introduction of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) by Jonas Salk.
- 1961: Oral polio vaccine (OPV) developed by Albert Sabin, which became widely used for immunization programs.
- 1985: Rotary International launches the PolioPlus program, a global initiative to eradicate polio.
- 1988: The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched by Rotary International and the World Health Organization.
- 1994: America was declared polio-free.
- 2000: Western Pacific, including China and Australia, became polio-free.
- 2014: India was declared polio-free by the WHO. The Polio cases decreased to over 99% since 1988.
- 2020: The World Health Organization certifies the African region as free of wild polio.
What is Polio Disease?
Polio, or poliomyelitis , is a highly contagious ‘enteroviruses’ caused by the poliovirus. It mainly affects children under the age of five , attacking the nervous system and leading to paralysis. In some cases, polio can cause permanent disability or death. The symptoms of Polio include:- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Stiffness in the neck
- Pain in the limbs
Polio Eradication Initiatives
Polio eradication initiatives are key in the global fight against polio. For instance, the largest public health campaign to combat polio, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), was launched in 1988. This initiative brings together organizations like the World Health Organization, Rotary International, and UNICEF to work toward a polio-free world. Similarly, the Indian government has launched many initiatives to eradicate this disease, including:- Pulse Polio Immunization Program: This initiative involved mass vaccination campaigns where children under the age of five receive the oral polio vaccine.
- Awareness Campaigns: The government conducted extensive awareness programs to educate parents about the importance of vaccinating their children against polio and addressing all misconceptions.
- House-to-House Surveys : Health workers performed house-to-house visits to identify unvaccinated children, ensuring that every child is reached, especially in remote areas.
- Collaboration with NGOs: The Indian government partners with non-governmental organizations and GPEI to enhance outreach and mobilize communities for vaccination drives.
Current Status of Polio
The current status of polio shows that we have made great progress in reducing cases around the world. However, some areas still have active polio infections, highlighting the need to keep vaccinating and staying alert.Polio Cases in the World
Although most regions are now polio-free, the disease persists in certain areas, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Environmental monitoring data shows concerning trends, with Pakistan reporting 186 positive samples for WPV1 in 2024, up from 126 in all of 2023. In Afghanistan, 44 positive samples have been detected this year, a decrease from the previous year.Polio Cases in India
India was once considered one of the toughest countries to eliminate polio. However, through dedicated efforts, India successfully eradicated polio with th e last reported case in 2011 in West Bengal. While India remains polio-free, a recent case of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) in Meghalaya may have raised a new challenge.World Polio Day 2024 Significance
The World Polio Day 2024 encourages governments and other stakeholders to remain proactive in their efforts, ensuring that the disease does not make a comeback. This day is a significant occasion for several reasons:- Celebrating Progress: It reminds us of the successes we’ve achieved in the battle against polio since global vaccination efforts began.
- Raising Awareness: The day helps educate people about the risks of polio and why getting vaccinated is still crucial.
- Global Cooperation: Ending polio requires teamwork, with support from governments, organizations, and communities all over the world.
- Renewed Commitment: It encourages us to keep our focus on stopping polio, especially in areas where the disease is still a threat.
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| International Girl Child Day 2024 | World Food Day 2024 |
| Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti 2024 | Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti 2024 |
| International Day of Older Persons 2024 | Gandhi Jayanti 2024 |
World Polio Day 2024 FAQs
What is World Polio Day 2024?
World Polio Day is a global event observed annually on October 24 to raise awareness about the efforts to eradicate polio globally.
Why is World Polio Day important?
It highlights the importance of vaccines in preventing the spread of polio and celebrates the progress made toward eradicating the disease.
Which countries still have polio in 2024?
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the two remaining countries where WPV1 polio is still endemic.
When was India declared polio-free?
India was declared polio-free in 2014 by the World Health Organization.
What is the theme of Polio Day 2024?
The theme of Polio Day 2024 is “A Global Mission to Reach Every Child”.
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