Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO), on the occasion of World Polio Day, which falls on October 24, called for intensified international efforts to eradicate the disease completely, confirming that the world is close to achieving this goal after decades of joint work. The organization highlighted the significant decrease in polio cases over the years.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the organization stated, via the official United Nations website, that polio affected approximately 350,000 children annually 35 years ago, but this number has decreased to fewer than 50 cases in 2025. This progress is attributed to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative launched in 1988 under the leadership of the WHO and its international partners.

The organization noted that despite the significant progress, some areas still face challenges in eradicating the disease. It cited Afghanistan as an example, where more than one million children have missed out on immunization opportunities due to restrictions imposed on home vaccination campaigns. This has led to the emergence of most cases of wild poliovirus type 1 in hard-to-reach areas.