Somalia passes polio-free landmark

10000 health workers stop polio in one of most dangerous places on earth

Polio immunization of a nomadic child. Frequent population movements across Somalia meant that children of nomadic populations were at particular risk of polio.

25 March 2008, Geneva, Switzerland – Somalia is again polio-free, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) announced today, calling it a ‘historic achievement’ in public health. Somalia has not reported a case since 25 March 2007, a landmark moment in the intensified eradication effort launched last year to wipe out the disease in the remaining few strongholds.

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