Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is recovering from a civil war which recently ended in 2002.  During the 10 year civil war, in which tens of thousands died, many individuals suffered appalling atrocities committed by the rebels, whose trademark was to cut off the hands or feet of their victims.   Due to the war much of the infrastructure suffered including the health service.  As a result of this destruction many individuals’young and old have contracted Polio due to the vaccination program collapsing.

Disease
Polio is highly infectious and affects the nervous system, sometimes resulting in paralysis. It's transmitted through contaminated food, drinking water, faeces and swimming pool water. the virus that causes it invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis and between 5% and 10% of those infected die. The civil war in Sierra Leone has destroyed the health system and therefore, the Polio vacination program stop operating. Not until all the warring factions stopped could helath visitors get hte vaccine to the children.