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World Polio Day 2026: WHO and Rotary renew push to end polio as wild cases fall to 52
In brief
The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean joined Rotary leaders in Cairo on October 24, 2026 to mark World Polio Day. WHO noted that in 1988 polio paralyzed an estimated 350,000 children a year in more than 125 countries, while last year just 52 cases of wild poliovirus were reported worldwide, all in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
How far the world has come
Rotary is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and has contributed more than US$2.9 billion, plus millions of volunteer hours. "Rotary does not only fund polio eradication. Rotary leads it," said Dr Adham Ismail, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean office.
The last mile
Dr Jamal Ahmed, WHO's regional director for polio eradication, said the last mile needs a different approach: stronger cross-border coordination between Afghanistan and Pakistan, more involvement of trusted community leaders and women health workers, and closer links with routine immunization. He pointed to Egypt, which ended polio more than two decades ago, as proof that it can be done.
Why it still matters
Polio has no cure, but it is preventable with vaccines. As long as the virus circulates anywhere, children everywhere can be at risk, which is why routine vaccination stays important.
VSH take: Going from 350,000 cases a year to 52 is one of the biggest public health wins in history. Families can keep track of shots with our baby vaccine schedule tool (general information, not medical advice). Students can learn more on our exam guides and study pages, and travellers can check fares on the flights hub.
ViralScopeHub is an independent news summary site and is not affiliated with WHO, Rotary or the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Details are from the official release; check the official source for updates. The photo is a file photo.
Why it matters
Polio is close to being wiped out, and keeping children vaccinated is what stops it from coming back.
People also ask
When is World Polio Day?
Every year on October 24.
How many wild polio cases were there last year?
WHO says 52 cases of wild poliovirus, confined to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
How many cases were there in 1988?
An estimated 350,000 children a year were paralyzed, in more than 125 countries.
How much has Rotary given?
More than US$2.9 billion, according to WHO.
Related free tools: baby-vaccine-schedule, Percentage Calculator
Sources
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