Support for Polio Eradication activities in sub-Saharan Africa - WHO

Results achieved as of January 2012 include: 150 million children in 35 countries were immunized in 2011 through the conduct of 189 supplementary polio immunization activities (SIAs); intensified eradication strategies resulting in a decline of polio cases in sub-Saharan Africa from 691 cases in 2009 to 56 cases in 2012; successfully stopped polio outbreaks in eight previously polio-free countries in 2011; strengthened and sustained a sensitive Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance network which is the core strategy used to detect the transmission of polio; the polio laboratory network in Africa adopted cutting-edge technology to reduce the time taken to detect wild poliovirus; contributed to reducing child mortality through other interventions during polio SIAs including Vitamin-A supplementation measles vaccinations and the distribution of bed-nets de-worming tablets and soaps.