Memorial Service

The memorial service for Past District Governor John Strong is Sunday, May 31st at 2:00pm at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 north McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, 94954.

Directions: Hwy 101 to Petaluma to Washington Street Exit. East on East Washington Street, across freeway. Next left on McDowell Blvd. Right at 2nd traffic light, Petaluma Community Center - Lucchesi Park - 778-4399.

Google Map

GSE Team antics in Ukiah at the Sun House Museum

On the left, from the top: Leo, Danubia, Vanessa, and Paula
On the Right: Bruno and Team Leader Simone

POLIO ERADICATION UPDATE
Our battle to eradicate polio continues.

Larry D. Myers, PDG District 5130 Polio Eradication Chair

We continue to see excellent progress with decreasing case numbers in the 4 endemic countries of Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Year to date has seen a decrease in case numbers from 338 in 2008 to 286 in 2009.

INDIA - only 36 cases year to date compared to 203 in 2008. India might be our next polio free country if this dramatic downward trend continues.Earlier this year I discussed the remarkable progress and large financial commitment by their government toward polio eradication. The earlier January outbreak caused great concern - especially since it was the type 1 virus which is the leading cause of paralysis. Rapid implementation of aggressive outbreak response appears to have succeeded in preventing a renewed type 1 outbreak in Bihar - which had also happened in early 2007. Rapid response has also been significant in the highest risk districts of western Uttar Pradesh and re-infection which was feared has been successfully curbed. The next large scale SNID's (Subnational Immunization Day) will be held on May 24-29.

NIGERIA - sadly the upward trend in cases year to date continues with 234 cases in 2009 compared to 126 cases in 2008. So what it being done to reverse this? First, preparations are being completed for the next IPD (nationwide immunization plus days) which will be launched May 30 with the use of trivalent oral polio vaccine. Trivalent vaccine will be used to further impact the type 3 outbreak while maintaining continued pressure on current low-levels of type 1 transmission in northern states. Secondly, continueD pressure on the government to improve operations in the south where some problems in the quality of the immunization campaign has been previously noted. These operational problems must be strongly dealt with by the government.

AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN - only a total of 16 cases year to date. Coordination between the two counties continue along with increased support for the immunizaton programs being seen in the tribal areas.

Progress toward ending polio in the non-endemic countries continues to be slow. Year to date has seen an increase in cases from 16 in 2008 to 97 in 2009. Importantly, because of our world-wide network of clinical labs, we do know the genetic sequence of each case which tells us not only the origin but the specific strain of virus - and immediate steps are taken to re-immunize that area.

I KNOW AT TIMES IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE TAKING ONE STEP FORWARD THEN 2 STEPS BACK BUT BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY TO YOU - WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. THE SYSTEM IS IN PLACE TO END POLIO - AND WE WILL -----WITH YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

Later this month, I hope to be able to interact with many of you at our district conference in Petaluma. I will be reporting on your successes in fundraising at the Friday afternoon session. Year to date you have raised over $59,000 for Polio Eradication and currently we have raised over $90,000 toward our $200 Million Dollar Gates Challenge. YES WE WILL SUCCEED BECAUSE OF THE STRONG ONGOING COMMITTMENT OF OUR ROTARIANS OF 5130.

Thank you for all you do to improve lives in the local community you serve and in our world-wide community - SAVING CHILDREN'S LIVES THROUGH OUR END POLIO CAMPAIGN - WE WILL SUCCEED!!!

Yours in Rotary.

Larry D. Myers, PDG, District 5130 Polio Eradication Chair