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Home » Frequently Asked Question

Frequently Asked Question

What is Polio?

Polio is an infectious disease caused by the polio virus. The disease can strike at any age, but typically affects children under three. The virus is passed through poor or careless hygiene, entering the body through the mouth, then multiplying inside the throat and the intestines. Once established, the polio virus can enter the bloodstream and invade the central nervous system, spreading along nerve fibers. As it multiplies, the virus destroys the motor neurons that activate muscles. The nerve cells cannot be regenerated and the affected muscles no longer function. Polio paralysis is almost always irreversible. In the most severe cases, polio virus attacks the motor neurons of the brain stem, resulting in difficulty breathing and can result in death. Most children and adults infected with the polio virus suffer only symptoms of a fever; only 1 percent of polio cases result in paralysis.
Why did Rotary choose Polio?

During the 1970s, Rotary International began a search to find a global humanitarian program where members could actively participate, not just by fundraising, but by volunteering in their communities and across the world — the cornerstone of Rotary's charter. The answer came in 1979 when Rotary launched a five-year polio immunization program in the Philippines along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippine Ministry of Health. The initiative was declared a success, signifying the end of Rotary's search.
Isn't the Polio program finished?

This is a common misconception in polio-free countries. It is true that major gains have been made in the global fight against polio. In September 1994, the entire Western Hemisphere was certified polio free. But, some of the most difficult battles have yet to be fought. Ten countries remain polio endemic. Many of these countries lack sufficient political and economic commitment, or are embroiled in conflicts.
What will be needed to achieve the goal of a polio-free world?

Nothing less than the active participation of every Rotarian in every club and district in the world. Polio is a disease that does not respect geographical or political borders. To become complacent is to risk losing the gains we have made. Therefore, Rotary International encourages every Rotarian to continue their commitment to global polio eradication by remaining knowledgeable about Rotary's historic support of this public health initiative and by participating in the PolioPlus program.
What is an NID?

National Immunization Days aim to interrupt the circulation of the wild polio virus by immunizing every child in the highest risk age group (normally under the age of five) quickly and effectively by flooding a country with the oral polio vaccine. In countries where polio is endemic, this usually involves organizing two rounds of National Immunization Days a year — one month apart — for a period of at least three years. The aim is to catch children who are non-immunized, or only partially protected, and boost the immunity of children already immunized. This way, every child in the most susceptible age group is protected against polio at the same time — instantly depriving the virus of the fertile seedbed to thrive.

What is social mobilization?

Social mobilization is organized community activities designed to help meet immunization, surveillance, and polio eradication goals at regional, national, and local levels. It is the name given to the vast cooperative effort of public and private organizations comprising the thousands of individual elements necessary to make National Immunization Day campaigns successful. Rotary International's definition of social mobilization includes the following activities:

Publicity campaigns concerning immunization days.
Logistical support at immunization centers, such as record keeping and care and service for those awaiting immunization and to those conducting immunizations.
Transportation of personnel or materials to immunization centers
Educating medical and healthcare personnel, community leaders, parents, and the general public about the importance of polio immunization and eradication and ways in which they can help.

What is surveillance?

This hefty term essentially refers to monitoring the incidence and transmission of polio at the local, national, regional, and global level. This absolutely critical element of polio eradication involves the rapid collection and assessment of stool samples from children who are suspected to have polio. This work begins with reporting suspected polio cases by health workers and pediatricians at the local level. A network of more than 80 laboratories around the world performs analysis of the stool samples. Although the work is anything but glamorous, it is increasingly important as we approach the achievement of a polio-free world.

What is the "Plus" in PolioPlus?

The "Plus" in PolioPlus has evolved over time. Today it refers to the global polio eradication legacy that can be applied to future health initiatives. Lessons learned from this historic 20 year-drive include:

Massive public education initiatives to promote immunization activities;
Vaccine deployment strategies to reach children in remote or isolated regions;
Using proper tools, such as vaccine carriers to protect vaccine in harsh temperatures and specimen containers to preserve the integrity of samples;
Forming public-private partnerships that fortify national governments' health programs;
A strengthened worldwide laboratory network will continue to support disease surveillance efforts long after polio has been eradicated; and
Most importantly, the global polio eradication program has paved the way for cease-fire truce agreements in a number of warring nations, negotiating major humanitarian assistance in fragile environments.

What major public health initiative will Rotary support next?

Rotary International is committed to achieving polio eradication. The Rotary Foundation Trustees have stated the commitment in their "Statement on Commitment to Global Polio Eradication" which reads as follows: "The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, in accordance with the decision adopted by the 1995 Council on Legislation, affirm that the global eradication of polio is, and must remain, the premier goal of Rotary International and its Foundation until the day that the world is certified as being rid of the polio virus."