What Berwick Rotary do and assist with

Berwick Rotary have supported the fight to beat polio:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that two cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) have been detected in Nigeria.

The cases, which were reported in the north-eastern state of Borno, are the first in the country since July 2014.

Although this is a setback in our fight to rid the world of polio, we are confident that Rotarians across Great Britain and Ireland will redouble their efforts and continue to show the incredible levels of dedication, commitment and resilience which have brought us so far over the last three decades.

Eve Conway, Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland President commented: “This is disappointing news, but Rotarians are determined to keep up the fight against polio and to reach our number one goal of ridding the world of this crippling disease. We shall continue our advocacy work and our efforts to raise awareness and funds to end polio now and forever.

We have just launched the Purple4Polio campaign in Britain and Ireland and urge support of this campaign as we strengthen our efforts to reach a polio free world.”

Nigeria had gone over two years without any cases of wild poliovirus and as eradication nears completion, the poliovirus is expected to fight back. However, WHO remain confident that Nigeria can end polio. The Nigerian government and the polio programme are working quickly to respond to the outbreak using proven tactics that will prevent further spread of the disease.

Michael K. McGovern, International PolioPlus Chair, commented: “This response will include emergency vaccination campaigns to boost immunity in impacted and at-risk areas, and reinforced surveillance activities to ensure we detect all strains of polio. Because polio knows no borders, steps will also be taken to protect surrounding countries, to ensure all children are vaccinated and to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease.”

To read Michael K. McGovern's full statement, visit the Rotary International website, or to find out more about the news, visit the World Health Organization website.