POST 00465E : EUROPE POLIO-FREE 21 June 2002
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Claudia Drake (mailto:
[email protected]) from WHO's Global Polio Eradication
Initiative, is pleased to share with us the news that the European Region
of WHO has been certified polio-free. Attached are the press releases
issued for the occasion, both in English and French.
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I'm very pleased to pass on the good news that the WHO European Region has
been certified polio-free this morning by the independent European
Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCC) in
Copenhagen.
Many thanks to all those at WHO, across many different departments, who
have worked so hard on polio eradication efforts and contributed to
achieving this historic milestone.
I attach the press release for those who wish to read more. Disease
surveillance and polio immunization must continue in the European Region
even after certification, to guard against the ongoing threat of poliovirus
importations from the 10 remaining polio-endemic countries.
Achieving global eradication still requires the filling of a funding gap of
US $275 million for activities through 2005.
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