Polio Challenge
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What is Polio?

Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5.

Most know it as poliovirus. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide.

 

The Facts

Polio mainly affects children under age 5.

There is no cure, but polio is preventable with a vaccine.

Only two countries remain endemic.

We’ve reduced cases by 99.9% since 1988.

Until we end polio forever, every child is at risk.

 

PolioPlus
For more than 30 years, Rotary and our partners have driven the effort to eradicate polio worldwide. Our PolioPlus program was the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication by vaccinating children on a massive scale. As a core partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary focuses on advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and awareness-building.
 
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
 
Arrange a Club Program
If you would like to arrange a program, please contact Gary and Cindy Nolte at 218-233-6758.   

 

Foundation-PolioPlus
117 38 Circle Ave. S.
Moorhead, MN  56560
United States
H: 218-233-6758