WORLD POLIO DAY — 24 October
#WorldPolioDay #EndPolioNow
Today, 24 October, the world marks World Polio Day — a day to celebrate global progress towards a polio-free world and honour the health workers, volunteers, researchers and families who work tirelessly to eradicate polio.
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. Its early symptoms are like flu — fever, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the back, neck, arms or legs, and muscle weakness. Many people show no symptoms at all. But in severe cases, the virus attacks the nerves, causing irreversible paralysis and even death.
In the early 20th century, polio struck fear in every household. In the United States alone, 1952 saw nearly 58,000 cases, over 15,000 paralysis cases and more than 3,000 deaths. Then came hope — the polio vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, who began testing it in 1953.
Thanks to the vaccine and global commitment, polio is now 99.9% eradicated. The United States and Africa are polio-free. Nigeria was certified free of wild poliovirus in 2020 — a historic victory for Africa. Today, the virus remains endemic in only two countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan — but the fight is not over until every child, everywhere, is safe.
This global effort began in 1988 when the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution to eradicate polio, launching the Global Polio Eradication Initiative led by WHO, UNICEF, CDC and Rotary International. Rotary International went on to establish World Polio Day in the early 2000s, choosing 24 October to honour the birthdate of Jonas Salk.
At WAELE AFRICA Foundation, we remember that polio eradication is also a women's issue.
It is mothers who walk miles to immunization centres. It is women community health workers who go door-to-door in Minna, Maiduguri, and Makurdi to ensure no child is missed. When we protect a girl child from polio, we protect her right to go to school, to work, to lead — free from preventable disability.
Today we call for action:
Vaccinate every child — vaccines are safe, free and life-saving
Support our frontline health workers, majority of whom are women
Donate to polio eradication efforts through Rotary and local health initiatives
Raise awareness— wear a burgundy ribbon for post-polio syndrome, share facts, and spread hope
We are closer than ever to making polio history. Let us finish the job.
A polio-free world is possible. Let us make it happen — for every African child.
Happy World Polio Day!
#EndPolio #VaccinesWork #WAELEAFRICA
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