A local doctor addressed members at Monday's meeting to talk about the dropping number of polio cases worldwide over the last several years.
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The Lima Rotary Club heard an update on the fight against polio.
A local doctor addressed members at Monday's meeting to talk about the dropping number of polio cases worldwide over the last several years.
Working to help end the disease is one of Rotary International's biggest projects. Funding from local chapters and the international organization is used to purchase vaccines to distribute in poorer countries and develop systems for tracking polio. That technology can also be used to monitor the spread of other infectious diseases like measles.
That technology can also be used to monitor the spread of other infectious diseases like measles.
The good news is that polio is on the decline, from over 300,000 cases in 1988 to 140 in 2020 and only 5 in 2021. But experts say it's important to get your kids vaccinated because those numbers could start increasing at any time, and the disease is still just as severe.
"I've had patients whose legs were both so weak that they had to use a wheelchair. I've had patients who had a weak arm that they couldn't use it to do anything. There are some that have to be on breathing machines, ventilators for the rest of their life because of their chest muscles being weak. So, it paralyzes the muscles that we use to get around, walk around, use our arms and legs," explained Dr. Susan Hubbell, a physician and club member who spoke at Monday's meeting.
Lima Rotarians also set a goal to raise $3,000 for Rotary International's efforts to stop polio.
Lima Rotarians also set a goal to raise $3,000 for Rotary International's efforts to stop polio.
