Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18186393
24 May 2012 Last updated at 07:34 ET
'Emergency plan' to eradicate polio launched
Polio has been declared a "global emergency" by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative after "explosive" outbreaks in countries previously free of the disease.
It has launched a plan to boost vaccination in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the only countries where the disease is still endemic.
Experts fear the disease could "come back with a vengeance".
The World Health Organization says polio is "at a tipping point".
There have been large outbreaks of the virus in Africa, Tajikistan and China has had its first cases for more than a decade.
'Relentless'
Bruce Aylward, head of the WHO's polio eradication campaign, said: "Over the last 24 months on three continents - in Europe, in Africa and in Asia - we have seen horrific explosive outbreaks of the disease that affected adults, and in some cases 50% of them died...
24 May 2012 Last updated at 07:34 ET
'Emergency plan' to eradicate polio launched
Polio has been declared a "global emergency" by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative after "explosive" outbreaks in countries previously free of the disease.
It has launched a plan to boost vaccination in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the only countries where the disease is still endemic.
Experts fear the disease could "come back with a vengeance".
The World Health Organization says polio is "at a tipping point".
There have been large outbreaks of the virus in Africa, Tajikistan and China has had its first cases for more than a decade.
'Relentless'
Bruce Aylward, head of the WHO's polio eradication campaign, said: "Over the last 24 months on three continents - in Europe, in Africa and in Asia - we have seen horrific explosive outbreaks of the disease that affected adults, and in some cases 50% of them died...