Poliomyelitis colloquially known as polio is a viral infectious disease which in severe forms can cause paralysis or even death. Polio affects anterior horn motor neurons in the gray matter of the spinal cord. Without nerve stimulation, muscles weaken and atrophy, resulting in paralysis. In rare cases, polio spreads to the brain stem, causing paralysis of the diaphragm and loss of breathing. Thankfully, Jonas Salk developed a vaccine to combat polio, several years later Albert Sabin developed an oral vaccine, and began a global health initiative to eradicate polio. With one of the most successful public health programs ever conducted on a global scale, the rate of polio went from 350,000 cases worldwide in 1988 to just 2,971 confirmed cases in 2000. Although a 99% decrease in cases can be observed of polio between 1988 and 2000, the goal of eradication proved elusive. Currently, the last 1% will be addressed with the right human qualities, adaptable initiatives and improved socioeconomic conditions in the affected countries. Of the entire global epidemic that existed during the 20th century, only 3 countries are in an endemic situation. situation today. Currently Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan are the only three countries with endemic polio. But the current goal of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is to eradicate polio rather than contain the disease. Eradicating polio would require human qualities that have contributed greatly in the past but need to be highlighted to be successful in the future. These human qualities must encompass the goal of polio eradication before overcoming the major disruption issues... middle of paper... coverage was lower in lower socioeconomic areas, making it an important factor in the eradication of polio polio. The polio epidemic that plagued the world in the 20th century was contained to only a few developing countries. Since the discovery of the polio vaccine and the global initiative to eradicate polio, the incidence of cases has decreased by 99% worldwide. However, the remaining 1% of persistent polio cases worldwide are proving difficult to eradicate. With highlighted human qualities that have been so successful in the past must be highlighted in the future to be successful. But these qualities are only as successful as the adaptive initiatives that allow these human qualities to thrive and succeed. Even with the improvement of socioeconomic conditions in the remaining affected developing countries, the dream of a polio-free world becomes possible.
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