In recognition of the Rotary International's World Polio Day, the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners recognized Oct. 24 as World Polio Day in Rockdale County.

Members of the Rotary Club of Rockdale County were present as well as Rockdale County Chairman Richard Oden and Commissioner Oz Nesbitt, and Commissioner JaNice Van Ness for the reading of the proclamation at the Oct. 18 Board of Commissioners meeting.

The Rotary Club of Rockdale County and the rest of the world are participating in a global push to raise the funds and awareness needed to vanquish this crippling disease, now on the verge of eradication.

This year, significant progress has been made against polio in India with an 80-percent reduction in polio cases since last year. In addition to India, the disease remains endemic in Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Until endemic polio transmission is stopped, other countries remain at risk for imported cases.

Eradicating polio worldwide has been Rotary’s top philanthropic goal since 1985 with millions of dollars raised to protect more than two billion children in 122 countries.