The researchers also found that 68% of capacity is concentrated in Asia, 17% in Europe and another 15% in North America. Hardest hit countries include Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. The authors estimate a major loss of life if the pandemic had lasted for longer. Information from the report has been submitted to the World Health Organisation and to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The report concludes that eradication of poliovirus requires international action to bring together the global community and tackle global health challenges such as under-nutrition, trade and climate change. It says the prevention of future epidemics lies in strengthening control and surveillance, better diagnostics and vaccines, and strengthening of health systems. We need to stop moving the world to extremes to avoid the risk of causing a large-scale pandemic Dr Shobha Shukla Henry Marsh Prof Fergus Walsh, global health editor at the Lancet Infectious Diseases, which was involved in publishing the study, said there is clear urgency to roll out proven vaccines in countries where there is an outbreak.