Africa free from wild poliovirus
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The World Health Organisation has declared Africa free of the wild poliovirus, a landmark achievement in the campaign to eradicate the paralysing disease around the world
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COUNTRIES WITH POLIO CASES IN 2020 (as of Aug 18)
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Wild poliovirus
Vaccine-derived poliovirus*

Number of cases in Africa (17 countries)

181

*Rare mutated form of weakened but live virus contained in oral polio vaccine – mutated virus can cause polio outbreaks in areas with poor sanitation

Afghanistan
37 54

Malaysia
1

Pakistan
65 52

14 Yemen

Philippines 1
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AFRICA WILD POLIO CASES, 2000-2020

1200
1000
 800
 600
 400
 200
   0
    0 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

2006: Total of 1,189 cases

2016: Four cases in Nigeria

Aug 25, 2020 Africa declared free of wild polio after four years with no new cases
 
Oral polio vaccine

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Sources: Associated Press, World Health Organisation © GRAPHIC NEWS
Picture: AP