[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 720

[Garry & Anne Krischock]

 Messages In This Digest (1 Message) 
  1. 1385: Rotarians travel to Ethiopia to immunize children against poli From: Sunil K Zachariah 
Message 1. 1385: Rotarians travel to Ethiopia to immunize children against poli 
Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:29 am (PST) 
Rotarians travel to Ethiopia to immunize children against polio 

More than 70 Rotarians from the United States and Canada are working 
with fellow Rotarians, volunteers, and health workers to administer 
the oral polio vaccine to children as part of a nationwide 
immunization campaign in Ethiopia 18-20 October.

Ezra Teshome of the Rotary Club of Seattle, who has led seven other 
immunization campaigns in Ethiopia, is leading the group. Teshome 
emigrated to the United States from Ethiopia in 1971.

"This is a historic opportunity to end polio in my former homeland - 
and worldwide," he says. "We must remain committed until every child 
is protected against the tragic, fatal consequences of this disease."

Significant progress has been made toward ending polio in Ethiopia, 
which has not reported a single case of the disease this year. The 
country recorded 22 cases in 2005 and 17 in 2006 after an outbreak in 
the Horn of Africa. Vigilant surveillance remains critical, 
especially during the upcoming season of traditional pilgrimages that 
bring many travelers to the region. 

In addition to protecting children from polio, the group will visit a 
Rotary club-supported well project that provides clean drinking water 
to about 30 villages. 

For as little as 60 cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected 
against this crippling disease for life. To date, the annual number 
of polio cases worldwide has been reduced from 350,000 in the mid-
1980s to approximately 2,000 cases in 2006. Only four countries - 
Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan - are still polio endemic. 

Rotary's commitment to end polio represents the largest-ever private 
sector support of a global health initiative. In 1985, Rotary members 
worldwide vowed to immunize all the world's children against polio. 
Since then, Rotary has contributed US$620 million to polio 
eradication, of which $7.7 million has supported immunization 
campaigns in Ethiopia. 

In addition to raising and contributing funds, over one million 
Rotarians have volunteered their time and personal resources to help 
immunize more than two billion children in 122 countries during 
national immunization campaigns.

Source: Rotary International News
Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary
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