Polio is Gone From Nigeria, WHO Says

[Little Tich]

Source: NBC News

Nigeria has been declared free of transmission of polio, leaving just two countries in the world where the virus is still regularly spreading: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

It's a big step towards the eradication of a disease that paralyzes children for life and that's easy to prevent with a vaccine that costs just a few cents.

The World Health Organization announcement means that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria, which was the last country in Africa with regular, ongoing transmission of the virus.

"Eradicating polio will be one of the greatest achievements in human history, and have a positive impact on global health for generations to come," WHO said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/who-removes-nigeria-list-countries-polio-n433986

[NCjack]

1. Science wins over disease. Good job WHO and Nigeria! /nt

[haikugal]

2. That's good to hear...well done!

[Ptah]

3. I rmember when I was 6 or 7 years old, getting the polio vaccine in a sugar cube.

It's great that this virus is almost gone.

Yay science!!

[dembotoz]

4. the only nightmares i remember as a child was concerning an iron lung

i never had polio or was never even really sick
but damn it the thought of it scared me.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. Polio is on the endangered species list

Thanks to the good leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we can keep this beloved life form from going extinct!

It's like Pandas, Elephants, and Lions, it is life and it needs protection.

Polio is a gift that keeps on giving: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-polio_syndrome



note:

[ismnotwasm]

6. This is great news!

Awesome

[LeftishBrit]

7. Excellent news!

[Judi Lynn]

8. What a shame it has taken so long.This step will protect the people from so much more suffering.n/t