DATE=4/16/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=POLIO ERADICATION UPDATE (S)

NUMBER=2-288793

BYLINE=JESSICA BERMAN

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

INTRO: The paralyzing disease, polio, is about to be eradicated worldwide. But experts say this major public health development is threatened by conflicts in a number of global hotspots. V-O-A'S Jessica Berman reports.

TEXT: When the global campaign to eradicate polio began in 1988, a thousand children per day were diagnosed with the paralyzing illness.

But thanks to vaccination efforts, there were a total of 537 new cases of polio diagnosed in all of 2001, according to international health experts, who want to eliminate polio by the end of the year.

But U-N Foundation President Timothy Wirth says the goal is threatened by global conflicts.

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Can the polio campaign be finished in time? Is there going to be interference from this increase in the armed and uncertain areas in which polio is found?

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Polio endemic areas where there are conflicts include Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The W-H-O and other relief organizations plan to step up mass polio immunization efforts shortly in an effort to meet the eradication deadline. (SIGNED)

NEB/JB/RAE