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New world strategy aims to eradicate polio by 2018

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Health authorities are finalising a plan to end most cases of polio by late next year and eradicate the disease by 2018- if they can raise enough money to finish the work.

The six-year global strategy will cost $5.5 billion, and require increasing security for vaccine workers who have come under attack in hard-hit countries.

But with polio cases at a historic low -223 cases last year -officials with the World Health Organisation, Gates Foundation and other polio-fighting groups said Tuesday there is a chance of success. The disease was widespread in 125 countries back in 1988 when the global polio fight began. Today, it remains endemic in just three: Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

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