No, polio has not yet been eradicated. Polio is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects young children and can cause permanent paralysis or even death. It is one of the world’s oldest and most feared diseases, and while great progress has been made towards its eradication, it still exists in some parts of the world.
In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a collaborative effort between governments, civil society, and the private sector to tackle the disease. Since then, the number of polio cases worldwide has decreased by more than 99%, saving an estimated 16 million people from paralysis and death. However, the virus still persists in some areas due to unstable political situations, armed conflicts, and other challenges to vaccine delivery.
In 2020, the only countries still reporting cases of polio are Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. In these countries, cases of polio have been decreasing, but there are still challenges to achieving eradication. For example, in Pakistan, the virus persists in areas where access to healthcare is limited and there are security issues. In Nigeria, the virus is transmitted mainly through poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene.
Overall, even though great progress has been made towards eliminating polio, it has not yet been completely eradicated. A combination of effective vaccination programs, improved sanitation, and strong government support is needed to achieve this goal.