Milestone: European Region marks tenth anniversary of polio-free certification
Copenhagen, 21 June 2012
“The WHO European Region marked 10 years since it was certified free of poliomyelitis (polio). Stopping transmission of indigenous wild poliovirus in the 53 countries in the Region was a landmark in the effort to eradicate polio globally, and helped accelerate international momentum towards that goal. Certification “followed years of intensive effort by Member States, supported by a public–private coalition of WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Rotary International and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thus, countries demonstrated the value of large, internationally coordinated vaccination campaigns and of special efforts to reach traditionally underserved groups, such as migrants or nomads.”
“…the past 10 years have not been without challenges, as surveillance for polio and immunity against it have waned. While poliovirus could travel to the Region easily from infected areas, this had not led to outbreaks before 2010, thanks to quick detection and a well-vaccinated population. By 2010, however, immunity had dropped to the point where an importation of wild poliovirus type 1 led to a large polio outbreak in Tajikistan and three neighbouring countries. This outbreak paralysed 478 people – including many adults – and killed 29. The risk of further deadly outbreaks is rising, underscoring the urgent need to eradicate polio globally.
“We have had many successes in the past 10 years, and we should recognize and applaud them,” said the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Zsuzsanna Jakab. “When we faced challenges, such as the 2010 outbreak, we saw countries and international partners mount a rapid and effective response. While this was a powerful reminder of the success we can achieve when we work together to fight common threats, it is important to emphasize that we cannot afford to become complacent. What we do here in Europe will have a significant impact on both the regional and global fight to eradicate polio.”
…“Less than 24 months ago, the countries of Europe rallied to respond to a terrible outbreak on the Region’s eastern borders,” said Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director-General for Polio, Emergencies and Country Collaboration at WHO headquarters. “Today, there are fewer cases of polio in fewer places of the world than ever before, but Europe faces the spectre of similar outbreaks unless it invests in the emergency plan to eradicate polio in the last reservoirs of the virus. The generosity of the people and governments of Europe will be essential to protecting future generations of children in perpetuity.”
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