Polio Nearly Beaten

With only 2320 cases last year, Polio is close to being eradicated worldwide, according to a report in the journal Tropical Medicine this week. As well as preventing suffering, disability and death, particularly in the 3rd World, the eradication of Polio will save about 1 billion Pounds per year which is the amount currently being spent vaccinating people against the virus. This money could usefully be spent tackling other 3rd World diseases, including vitamin A deficiency, Hepatitis B infection. HIV, Malaria and TB.