Rohit Shishodia
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared global eradication of Wild Poliovirus Type 3 (WPV3). The WHO announced WPV3’s eradication on October 24, 2019 -- World Polio Day.

Prof David Salisbury, Chair of Independent Global Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis presented global eradication of WPV3 to Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO.

There are three polio virus strains that include WPV1, WPV2 and WPV3. The latter two have been eradicated thus far.  All three strains are identical, in that they cause irreversible paralysis or even death. WPV1, which is prevalent in Pakistan and Afghanistan, is yet to be eradicated.

Dr Ghebreyesus said that the achievement of polio eradication will be a milestone for global health. “Commitment from partners and countries, coupled with innovation, means that of the three wild polio serotypes, only type one remains,” he added.

Dr Ghebreyesus further said, “We remain fully committed to ensuring that all necessary resources are made available to eradicate all poliovirus strains. We urge all our other stakeholders and partners to also stay the course until final success is achieved.”