What will become of the polio network?

Abstract

Polio could be history within a few years, but what will become of the vast network set up to fight the disease is unclear. Health experts fear that once polio is eradicated, donors will stop funding the diversified network, which now helps immunize children against many other diseases, fight outbreaks and respond to natural disasters.

The polio network in Nigeria has been involved in active disease surveillance for potential human cases of avian influenza.

The polio network frequently helps respond to other health emergencies, such as the 2005 Marburg fever outbreak in Angola.