UCT vaccine and infectious disease experts joined more than 400 scientists from around the world to launch the Scientific Declaration on Polio Eradication on 11 April 2013.

Polio is an infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children. There are 3 types of polio virus (1, 2 and 3). The virus is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis, usually in the legs. Among those paralysed, about10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilised. In 1988 the 41st World Health Assembly adopted a resolution for the worldwide eradication of polio, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

"Overall, since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched in 1988, the number of polio cases has fallen by 99%. More than 10 million people are today walking, who would otherwise have been paralysed" said the Programme Manager of UCT's Vaccines for Africa Initiative, Dr Charles Wiysonge - one of the signatories to the declaration. "Today, the world is closer than ever to eradicating polio, with just 223 cases in five countries last year. To capitalise on this time-limited opportunity to finally end the disease, a wide range of experts have signed the declaration to emphasise the achievability of polio eradication and endorse the Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan, a new strategy by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to reach the end of polio by 2018." He added.

The scientists signing the declaration come from 80 countries and include Nobel laureates, vaccinologists, infectious disease experts, deans of medical and public health schools, paediatricians, and other health authorities. The declaration urges governments, international organisations and civil society to do their part to seize the historic opportunity to end polio and protect the world's most vulnerable children and future generations from this debilitating but preventable disease.

For additional information about the Scientific Declaration or to view a full list of signatories, please visit the Emory Vaccine Center Website.