World Polio Day 2024 – Check World Polio Day Date, History, and Facts

October 24 is observed as World Polio Day every year. It is a day focused on creating a world free from polio. It is a day celebrated to recognize the progress made to eradicate polio and to honor the contributions of health workers and volunteers who work tirelessly towards achieving the goal. World Health Organization (WHO) termed Polio as a dangerous disease that attacks the nervous system through a virus and may cause permanent paralysis in the person. Hence, it is essential to eradicate polio on a global scale. In this post, let us know more about polio meaning and World Polio Day.

World Polio Day is an event organized to highlight the efforts done across the globe by various organizations and different groups of people to end poliomyelitis (polio) worldwide. In 1988, the World Health Assembly vowed to eliminate the Polio virus globally. By 2002, WHO declared the European region polio-free. World Polio Day on October 24th is observed to create awareness about vaccinating children against polio and to celebrate the efforts of health workers, volunteers, and everyone who contributes to the cause of eradicating polio.

Brief History of World Polio Day

Rotary International initiated the World Polio Day drive in 1985 to honor the birth anniversary of Jonas Salk, an American physician and researcher associated with the invention of the first polio vaccine used in 1955. Later, in 1961, the oral polio vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin to immunize children with oral polio drops. In the present scenario, polio doses are highly recommended all over the world as a safeguard against the virus for everyone, especially small and vulnerable children under 5 years of age.

Let’s take a look at some facts related to polio disease below.

Top 4 Polio-Related Facts

1. Polio mostly affects children:-

Polio is a disease that primarily affects small children under five.

2. Permanent immobility:

Polio might cause permanent paralysis or immobility of certain limbs. Poliovirus attacks the respiratory muscles of the infected person to cause immobility. Some patients might even die due to the infection.

3. Polio cases have gone down:

From over 350,000 polio cases in 1988 globally, the figure has dropped to just 37 cases in 2016.

4. Single case:

Even if only a single case of polio patient exists, there is a possibility of it spreading.

What Can Be Done to Eradicate Polio?

To eliminate polio from the world and make it a topic of history, every individual has to make an effort. It is the combined effort that could help eradicate polio forever. For that, it is necessary to observe World Polio Day and to create awareness as much as possible among people across nations.

Observing a day dedicated to polio can make people know and understand the devastating effects of the disease and how it can cripple a person for life. This will help send the message to those living in the remotest part of the globe and acquaint them with the impact of polio on their children and their lives.

Here are some ways through which people can be informed about World Polio Day and steps to eradicate the same:

1. Spread awareness about Polio in your community and people around you:

If every person pledges to spread the news about the importance of the polio drive, it will make a difference in tracking down even a single case of polio across the globe

2. Offer support in saving lives: 

Ignorance is a huge drawback, especially while fighting a contagious disease like polio. By initiating various awareness campaigns, it is possible to save lives and eliminate the polio virus from its roots.

3. Getting into the root cause of polio: 

Polio spreads through three kinds of viruses that are contagious and often spread through contact with the infected feces. Thus, polio is caused by poor sanitation and handwashing or by consuming contaminated food and beverages. So, to control the spread of polio, it is necessary to spread awareness about polio causes or causes of polio infection and preventive measures.

4. Use social media to spread the word: 

On World Polio Day, use the occasion to share polio-related stories on social media platforms so that it reaches everyone. You can use online resources from World Polio Day and repost them on your social media handle.

What Are the Different Ways to Observe World Polio Day?

1. Polio is a global concern that needs the role of global communities to eradicate the same. To join the cause, you can donate your money as well as time to spread awareness against Polio.

2. One can also participate in activities to raise funds to be donated to several organizations working towards eradicating polio.

3. Use this day to vaccinate your children against polio and to eradicate the virus. Vaccination is critical to limit the spread of the polio virus.

4. Many asymptotic carriers of the polio virus are likely to spread the disease. Use this day to get every child vaccinated to protect them from this disease

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To sum up

On the occasion of World Polio Day, several international organizations come together to host events, rallies, awareness programs, and webinars about polio and its prevention. WHO and Rotary International are some such prominent organizations. They also host several competitions in clubs and educational institutions. Polio eradication is a global fight that needs your contribution. Regardless of the level of contribution, it will aid in making a change.

Further, to fight polio and other contagious diseases, every individual needs to have health insurance coverage to protect against major health issues during medical emergencies. Heath emergencies can befall anyone at any time. Such times are crucial as you face the challenge of getting good treatment for the sick, while you also need to look at the expenses that you are going to incur. For many people, a hospitalization without health insurance can cost all their savings. Hence, getting a health insurance plan covering yourself and your family is important.

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