In 1988, public health officials and volunteers across the world united together under the common goal to eradicate polio by 2000. The task has proven to be more than they expected, as the disease stubbornly affects 4 countries: Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Recently, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International, and British and German governments announced a donation of $630 million to keep fighting against polio, in hopes of finally ridding the world of the disease. Since the campaign started, it has seen great success: the number of cases fell by 99%. However, the original goal was not to just reduce numbers, but to completely halt the spread of polio. According to Mr. Gates, failing to provide more vaccinations would result in "a return to the days of tens of thousands of cases per year.”
Source: NY Times
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