Nigeria has been polio free for one year this week, after reporting no new cases of the disease since July 2014.
This means the country is on the brink of eradicating the paralysing disease, and if no new cases are reported in the coming weeks the World Health Organisation is expected to remove Nigeria from the list of countries where polio is endemic, leaving just two: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The news gives strength to the positive work achieved by Rotarians across the world, including donating $688.5 million to fight polio throughout Africa and devoting countless hours to help immunise children to help them live happy and healthier lives.
“Every Rotarian in the world should be proud of this achievement,” says Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran. “We made history. We have set Africa on course for a polio-free future. But we have not yet reached our goal of a polio-free world, and raising funds and awareness and advocating with your government is more crucial than ever.”
The last case in Nigeria was reported on 24th July 2014 in the northern state of Kano, and this is the longest the country has ever gone without a case of polio, and is a critical step on the path toward a polio-free Africa.
We’re so close to achieving a polio free world, so we must continue to protect the progress made in Nigeria and support Pakistan and Afghanistan, to help make history and end polio now.
 
