The number of polio cases worldwide has fallen from around 350,000 in 1988 to 5,200 reported in 1999, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland (director-general, WHO) is now urging leaders of the 30 countries still affected by polio to help with the final push to eradicate the disease. At the launch of the Final Push for Polio campaign on January 6, Dr Brundtland said: "In the year 2000 - the target for polio eradication - we have a window of opportunity to defeat this disease forever."