History of polio

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Polio Egyptian Stele

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Polio quarantine card

Iron lung CDC

Polio immunization days PHIL 2445

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March of dimes

Polio physical therapy

== History of Polio ==

The history of polio (poliomyelitis) is a significant chapter in the annals of medicine. Polio is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It has been known since antiquity, with depictions of the disease found in ancient Egyptian art. The disease primarily affects children and can lead to permanent paralysis and even death.

Early History

Polio has been present for thousands of years. The earliest known depiction of polio is an Egyptian stele from around 1400 BCE, which shows a priest with a withered leg, characteristic of polio-induced paralysis. The disease was not well understood until the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

19th Century

In the 19th century, polio outbreaks began to be more frequently documented. The first clinical description of polio was provided by the British physician Michael Underwood in 1789. He referred to it as "debility of the lower extremities." The disease was later termed "infantile paralysis" due to its prevalence among children.

20th Century

The 20th century saw significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of polio. Major polio epidemics occurred in Europe and the United States, causing widespread panic and leading to the establishment of specialized polio hospitals and wards.

Development of Vaccines

The most significant breakthrough in the fight against polio came with the development of vaccines. In 1955, the Jonas Salk inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) was introduced, followed by the oral polio vaccine (OPV) developed by Albert Sabin in the early 1960s. These vaccines have been instrumental in reducing the incidence of polio worldwide.

Global Eradication Efforts

In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO), along with UNICEF and Rotary International, launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). This initiative aimed to eradicate polio worldwide through widespread vaccination campaigns. As a result, polio cases have decreased by over 99%, with the disease now endemic in only a few countries.

21st Century

Efforts to eradicate polio continue into the 21st century. While significant progress has been made, challenges such as vaccine-derived poliovirus and political instability in certain regions have hindered complete eradication. However, the global health community remains committed to achieving a polio-free world.

Related Pages

• Poliovirus
• Jonas Salk
• Albert Sabin
• Global Polio Eradication Initiative
• World Health Organization
• UNICEF
• Rotary International