The island’s Rotary clubs are urging people in Bermuda to help eradicate polio.

Peronia Browne, the assistant district governor for the Rotary Clubs of Bermuda, said: “Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have made great strides to reduce polio cases by 99.9 per cent worldwide over the past 35 years, and we’ve reduced the circulation of wild polio to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“However, I ask everyone to help us finish the job and end polio for good to ensure that this paralysing disease does not return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.”

The Rotary website said the international organisation has worked to end polio for decades.

Ms Browne, who was speaking on World Polio Day on Tuesday, added: “There are so many ways in which we can support polio eradication efforts, from learning more about polio to sharing information about polio and donating to polio eradication efforts.

“We must all do our part to prevent polio outbreaks in our own communities and continue the march towards global eradication.

“We have an opportunity to make history by ending polio, which will be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated, and the time for action is now.”

She urged people to visit endpolio.org to learn more about ways to get involved.

• To learn more about the Rotary Clubs of Bermuda, their initiatives and how to become a Rotarian, follow them on Instagram @hope_rcba and on Facebook at Pembroke Rotary Club of Bermuda, Hamilton Rotary Club Bermuda, St George’s Rotary Club of Bermuda and Rotary Club of Sandys Bermuda