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    Two down, one to go: After decades-long campaign, type 3 polioviruses are set to be eradicated

    The formal bid to eradicate all polio began in 1988 and is now nearly 20 years past its original target date. But this week could bring a major victory.
    by Helen Branswell Oct 21, 2019 6 minutes
    A health worker immunizes a child against polio during a vaccination campaign in Kano, Nigeria.

    After months of bad news, the international army of people who have been working for decades to eradicate polio will likely have something to celebrate this week. A global commission is expected to announce that type 3 polioviruses have been eradicated.

    The announcement is expected on Thursday, which is World Polio Day. If it comes, type 3 polio will be the second species of polioviruses to have been vanquished. There were originally three types of polioviruses, named 1 through 3. With the eradication of type 3, only type 1 polioviruses remain.

    Having something to cheer is seen as a morale booster for the many people who have been working so long on this elusive project, as well as a way to show weary funders and countries eager to focus on other health priorities that ground is being gained. The formal bid to eradicate all polio began in 1988 and is now nearly 20 years past its original target date.

    “It is important to

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