Despite high hopes for polio eradication, discouraging news is piling up
So far this year, there have already been eight cases of polio reported in Afghanistan and Pakistan — three more than were seen over the same period last year.
Every year for the past few years, supporters of the global effort to wipe out polio have made an optimistic declaration: This could be the year that polio ends. And this year, the 30th anniversary of the launch of the ambitious program, was no exception.
But just three months into 2018, the projection is less rosy.
Eight cases of polio have already been reported, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, when there were only 22 cases in total. That’s three more than were seen over the same period last year. In addition, sewage surveillance in those two countries has turned up 28 other polioviruses so far this year
