(Stockholm, SWEDEN - 17 May 2005) In recognition of Sweden's recent US$30 million contribution to the global effort to eradicate polio, Rotary International today presented Carin Jämtin, Minister for International Development Cooperation, with its Polio Eradication Champion Award.

A highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and sometimes death, polio still strikes children in parts of Africa and Asia. Following an international investment of US$4 billion and the successful engagement of over 200 countries and 20 million volunteers, polio eradication is close at hand. World health experts say that it is possible to interrupt transmission of the poliovirus in its remaining strongholds in Africa and Asia by the end of this year.

The award, presented by Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, Rotary International's President-elect for 2005/06, was established in 1995 to recognize governments and world leaders who have made outstanding contributions toward the goal of eradicating polio. "As a Rotarian and Swede, I am proud that my country has taken an active role in ridding the world of polio," said Stenhammar. "On behalf of Rotary's 1.2 million members worldwide, I am honored to present this award to Minister Jämtin. As we stand on the brink of polio eradication, it brings me great pleasure to celebrate the tremendous achievements of our public/private partnership."

(GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — 10 May 2005) Six million doses of monovalent oral polio vaccine type 1 (mOPV1) have been shipped to Yemen, as part of emergency measures to stop the ongoing polio outbreak in the country. UNICEF today confirmed that the vaccine will arrive in Yemen early next week, for use in the nationwide immunization campaign to be conducted end-May, to immunize all of the country's children under the age of five years. Ten WHO experts are presently working with national authorities to finalize the plans for the campaign, and train vaccinators and supervisors.

mOPV1 works faster than the trivalent oral polio vaccine to create immunity against type 1 poliovirus, the strain causing Yemen's outbreak. Health officials expect this vaccine to more rapidly stop the outbreak. Confirmation of the mOPV1 availability came as Yemen reported a further 41 cases today, up from 22 in late April. Epidemiologists expect that the total number of cases will exceed 100, before the outbreak is stopped. Yemen had been polio-free since disease surveillance began in 1996.