The World Health Organization has declared Africa wild polio-free. The disease is now found only in which of the following countries:

The World Health Organization has declared Africa wild polio-free. The disease is now found only in which of the following countries: Correct Answer Afghanistan and Pakistan

The correct answer is Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Key Points

  • Africa is free from wild poliovirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it on 25 August 2020. This was announced by WHO Regional Director of Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.
    • Nigeria is the last African country to be declared free from wild polio, having accounted for more than half of all global cases less than a decade ago.
  • The disease is now only found in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
  • The number of 2020 cases remains at 135 in Pakistan.
  • In 2020, Afghanistan recorded 240 such cases of polio.

Additional Information

  • Polio, or poliomyelitis, mainly affects children aged under five.
  • Polio is a virus that spreads from person to person, usually through contaminated water.
  • It can lead to paralysis by attacking the nervous system.
  • Initial symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, and pains in the limbs.
  • There is no cure but the polio vaccine protects children for life.

Important Points

  • In 1894, the first outbreak of polio in epidemic form in the U.S. occurs in Vermont, with 132 cases.

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