Polio is transmitted through contaminated food and water. [GALLO/GETTY]

After decades of decline cases of the deadly disease Polio are on the rise.

However the World Health Organisation (WHO) says an opportunity to fully eradicate  the illness via vaccination does exist.

The WHO regards Polio as a test case on whether the world can come together in a coordinated manner to eliminate such diseases.

Throughout history there have been six major attempts to fully eradicate a disease and the only success so far has been with smallpox. 

Polio is spread through poor hygiene and attacks the nervous system. The most serious cases can result in total paralysis and death and the most vulnerable are children under three.

Anyone can be affected but it has recently been discovered that more than 90 per cent of cases found are among Muslims.

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This episode aired from Thursday, October 9, 2008. Watch the show live at 2030GMT, with repeats at 0030GMT and 0530GMT.

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