Poliomyelitis

WHAT IS POLIO?

Polio is a serious illness caused by the polio virus. It is spread through contact with infected stool (oral-fecal) and saliva (oral-oral) when sharing the same food and liquid. Almost 90 percent have no or little symptoms. The virus first infects the gut, but then travels to the nervous system and infects the cells, which are in control of the skeleton muscles. A global vaccination effort to eradicate polio began in 1988, led by the World Health Organization. These efforts have reduced the number of annual diagnosed cases by 99 Percent; from an estimated 350,000 cases in 1988 to a level of about 1,000 cases per year.

WHAT ARE THE SYMTOMS?

Paralysis of the extremities and can cause a meningitis-like illness.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS?

The infection may lead to a muscles wastage and paralysis and also permanent paralysis of the extremities. The illness can seriously affect breathing in some people and may even lead to death.