Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. Most know it as Polio and in 1988 125 countries were affected.

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. In 2016 there were only 3 affected countries, Africa, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 2020 Africa was declared Polio free!