Leading infectious-disease advocates from around the country met this weekend to prepare for the inevitable eradication of polio. Only 20 years ago, the virus was found in over 100 countries and paralyzed thousands of children daily. Today, the virus is found in only Pakistan and Afghanistan, and only 33 cases have been reported this year.
“Extinction is forever,” said leading infectious-disease advocate Dr. Sherry Fivenickel. “While we all would like to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that polio will be with us forever, we must face the sad reality that in a few years, this lovely virus will likely be gone from the earth forever.”
Many infectious-disease advocates pointed out that they were ill-prepared for the demise of smallpox and were unable to hold a proper funeral and mourn the loss of a beloved virus. They vowed that this time, they would celebrate the polio virus and all of the natural immunity it gave to children since the dawn of humanity.
