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Polio & Post-Polio in the News
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INTERNATIONAL
October 17, 2006
Global health officials say polio eradication will take more time; hopes for ridding the world of polio by 2007 questioned.
The World Health Organization and its partners had originally hoped to eradicate the disease globally by the end of 2005. Now, it is unclear whether the extended 2007 eradication deadline can be met.
Read the AP article on wtopnews.com
USA
Unvaccinated 22-year-old gets vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP). From Coast Rica to Phoenix. Read more ...
JANUARY 2005
"Pitt Celebrates Freedom from Polio," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review by Luis Fabreges. Fifty years ago in April 2005, headlines across the country trumpeted a dramatic medical breakthrough. Read more ...
"A Paralyzing Fear: The Story of a Nation's Triumph over Disease and Fear," a film that examines America's fear of a haunting disease it could not contain and tells the story of America's transcendence from that fear, is now available on DVD. Not only about the disease itself, but also about the effects it had on society as the epidemic struck and people began to fear and shun each other. Through this powerful story, narrated by Olympia Dukakis, viewers can fully understand the magnitude of epidemic disease and the importance of immunization. Visit www.firstrunfeatures.com or call 800-488-6652 to order "A Paralyzing Fear," UPC 7-20229-91138-2, Catalog # FRF 911382D, $24.95 SRP, Canada $36.99. Posted February 2005.
Vaccine-caused polio appears halted in US (The Associated Press)
The switch to an all-IPV (inactivated poliovirus) has stopped vaccine-caused polio in the US. A report by the CDC published in JAMA reveals that "thirteen cases of vaccine-caused polio occurred during the 1997-1999 transitional policy period and were associated with the all-OPV schedule; none occurred with the IPV-OPV schedule. No cases occurred after the United States implemented the all-IPV policy in 2000." View the report in JAMA.
"The Last Child: The Global Race to End Polio" premiered nationally on public television in October 2004. The television debut of this powerful new documentary was presented by WCVE Richmond PBS and nationally distributed by American Public Television (APT). Produced and directed by Scott Thigpen in association with Red Sky Productions, "The Last Child" examines the challenges of finishing the largest public health initiative in history — the global eradication of polio. Emmy award-winning filmmaker Thigpen and his crew traveled to eight countries to capture the story of the pursuit to defeat polio against great odds — from confronting civil wars and dangerous virus mutations, to overcoming cultural misunderstandings and competing health priorities. For more information about the film and polio eradication efforts, visit www.lastchild.org.
APRIL 2004
Update on Polio Eradication Effort: Read the USA Today report, "Polio Vaccine Hits Landmark," April 19, 2004, in which PHI's Executive Director, Joan Headley, was quoted.
APRIL 2004
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, traveling in India, announced on Thursday, April 8, 2004, that the United States and its global partners are on track to eradicate polio by the end of 2004. Polio cases have declined dramatically since 1988, when countries from around the world came together to establish the goal of complete polio eradication. Over the last 15 years, polio cases have been reduced by more than 99 percent worldwide, from about 350,000 cases in 1988 to only 784 cases reported in 2003. (Polio remains endemic in Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Niger, Afghanistan and Egypt.) Read about the US effort ...
(End of POLIO & POST-POLIO IN THE NEWS)