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‘Erase Ebola like Polio is being tackled’ – Mr. Henry O. Creque

As Rotary internationally observes World Polio Day President of the Rotary Club of Tortola Mr Henry O. Creque expressed gratitude to all for supporting the cause as an end is near for the prevalence of Polio. Photo: VINO
In speaking with this news site on the significant milestone that has been made towards the eradication of the disease Mr Creque said, “back when Rotary International got involved in polio in 1988 there were about 350,000 cases worldwide among approximately 200 countries and today there are less than 500 cases worldwide contained in mainly over three countries. So that’s why we say we are this close to ending polio. It’s like the end game, Rotary wants to make sure that they knock it out so that it doesn’t really start to spread again.” Photo: VINO/File
In speaking with this news site on the significant milestone that has been made towards the eradication of the disease Mr Creque said, “back when Rotary International got involved in polio in 1988 there were about 350,000 cases worldwide among approximately 200 countries and today there are less than 500 cases worldwide contained in mainly over three countries. So that’s why we say we are this close to ending polio. It’s like the end game, Rotary wants to make sure that they knock it out so that it doesn’t really start to spread again.” Photo: VINO/File
For the second year in a row, Rotary will mark World Polio Day with a live stream event featuring a global status update on the fight to end polio as well as an array of guest speakers and performers. Streaming from Chicago, and hosted by TIME Magazine science and technology Editor Jeffrey Kluge. Photo: Rotary Club of Tortola
For the second year in a row, Rotary will mark World Polio Day with a live stream event featuring a global status update on the fight to end polio as well as an array of guest speakers and performers. Streaming from Chicago, and hosted by TIME Magazine science and technology Editor Jeffrey Kluge. Photo: Rotary Club of Tortola
In addition to polio the Rotary Families across the Virgin Islands assist in bettering the lives of residents. Photo: Provided
In addition to polio the Rotary Families across the Virgin Islands assist in bettering the lives of residents. Photo: Provided
Some active members of Rotary Club of Tortola. Photo: Facebook
Some active members of Rotary Club of Tortola. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Rotary clubs the world over are key in observing ‘Polio’ Day and rightfully so as Rotary has been championing the cause of fighting the dreaded disease to the point that they can take much credit for it being almost extinct from the face of the earth.

Mr Henry O. Creque President of the Rotary Club of Tortola stated, “The Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of the British Virgin Islands have been excited to play their role in helping to erase Polio from our planet.  Quite a number of events have been planned on and around World Polio Day in the Territory, and we are seeking the public’s support to help make history and end polio in our generation.”

In speaking with this news site on the significant milestone that has been made towards the eradication of the disease Mr Creque said, “back when Rotary international got involved in polio in 1988 there were about 350,000 cases worldwide among approximately 200 countries  and today there are less than 500 cases worldwide contained in mainly over three countries. So that’s why we say we are this close to ending polio. It’s like the end game, Rotary wants to make sure that they knock it out so that it doesn’t really start to spread again.”

He further said, “Just to let you know that if you think of Ebola. There are a small number of cases right now but if you leave it and let it spread it could actually get out of hand, so Rotary trying to knock out polio completely.”

While there has not been any recent known case of a person/s with polio there are persons who are polio survivors residing in the Virgin Islands (VI). According to Mr Creque he is aware of one such person but is thankful that person was not crippled by the disease.

Polio is set to become the second human disease ever to be eliminated from the world (smallpox is the first). To date, Rotary has helped 193 countries stop the transmission of polio through the mass immunization of children. Rotary’s new funding commitment, announced in advance of the October 24 observance of World Polio Day 2014, targets countries where children remain at risk of contracting this incurable, but totally vaccine-preventable, disease.

With the world “This Close”—99%—to eliminating polio from the planet, the effort is receiving an additional US$ 44.7 million boost from Rotary to support immunization activities, surveillance, and research spearheaded by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative which aims to end the disabling viral disease worldwide by 2018.

About $18.5 million will go to the three remaining polio-endemic countries: Afghanistan ($7.4 million) Nigeria ($8.4 million), and Pakistan ($2.7 million). An endemic country is one where the wild poliovirus has never been stopped.

Another $9.5 million is marked for previously polio-free countries currently reporting cases “imported” from the endemic countries: Cameroon ($3.5 million), Ethiopia ($2 million), and Somalia ($4 million).

And $10.4 million will go to polio-free countries that remain at risk of reinfection: Democratic Republic of Congo ($1.5 million), India ($4.9 million), Niger ($1 million), South Sudan ($2 million), and Sudan ($1 million).The remaining $6.3 million will go toward polio eradication research.

For the second year in a row, Rotary will mark World Polio Day with a live stream event featuring a global status update on the fight to end polio as well as an array of guest speakers and performers. Streaming from Chicago, and hosted by TIME magazine science and technology editor Jeffrey Kluger, highlights of the event include:

• Tessanne Chin, 2013 winner of the TV show “The Voice,” will perform a song during the programme, followed by a benefit concert after the event

• Reggae star Ziggy Marley will welcome participants to the event and perform via video

• Minda Dentler, polio survivor and Ironman competitor, will share her personal story.

• Remarks via video by Olivier Charmeil (http://goo.gl/MyAVYz), chief executive officer of Sanofi Pasteur and Bernadette Hendrickx, Senior Medical and Scientific advisor to the CEO of Sanofi Pasteur will deliver remarks live.

• Addresses by Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko, Rotary Foundation Vice-Chair Michael McGovern, and Dr. James Alexander, senior medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Locally a number of events are being held including health walk and a line of fund raisers which can be seen of the Facebook pages of all Rotary and Rotaract clubs.

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