October 24th, 2017 - World Polio Day

Today, October 24, is World Polio Day.
 
While polio is a distant memory in most of the world, the disease still exists in some places and mainly affects children under 5. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralysed, 5% to 10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.

Unlike most diseases, polio can be completely eradicated. There are 3 strains of wild poliovirus, none of which can survive for long periods outside of the human body. If the virus cannot find an unvaccinated person to infect, it will die out. Type 2 wild poliovirus was eradicated in 1999 and cases of type 3 wild poliovirus haven’t been found anywhere in the world since 2012.

Every year, hundreds of Rotary members work side-by-side with health workers to vaccinate children in polio-affected countries. Rotary Members work with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute mass communication tools to reach people in areas isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty.

President Godfrey has dedicated this week’s Meeting to World Polio Day.
All funds raised through raffle and fines will be matched 1-to-1 by the Club, and that amount will in turn be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 
Be sure to follow us on our website www.rcsen.org, Facebook and Instagram. 
We encourage you all to come out THIS WEDNESDAY and join us as we help to
END POLIO NOW
Watch the Live stream now
 
 
 
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