Even after the last victim is infected, there will be years of surveillance
 
Only 20 cases of polio have been reported in 2016 thru June 15 according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative compared to 30 at the same time last year.
Six of those cases were reported in Afghanistan and 11 in Pakistan along with three in Laos where public health officials believe the virus was brought into the country by a traveler from Pakistan.
Those same officials hope this is finally the year when the last case of wild polio is seen, but the “war” will continue for three to five years to make sure there is no relapse. That effort is expected to cost $1.5 billion as detailed in an article in the July 2016 issue of The Rotarian.
Rotary’s financial contribution amounts to $1.5 billion since 1988 when the effort began.