History of polio

[[File: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship

A comprehensive overview of the history of polio

History of Polio

Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. The history of polio is marked by its impact on human populations, the development of vaccines, and the global efforts to eradicate the disease.

Early History

The earliest descriptions of polio-like symptoms date back to ancient Egypt, where depictions of individuals with withered limbs are found in hieroglyphs. However, it was not until the late 18th and early 19th centuries that polio was recognized as a distinct clinical entity. The first clinical description of polio was provided by British physician Michael Underwood in 1789, who referred to it as "debility of the lower extremities."

Epidemics in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Polio epidemics began to occur with increasing frequency in Europe and the United States during the late 19th century. The first significant outbreak in the United States occurred in Vermont in 1894, with 132 cases. The disease primarily affected children, leading to its nickname "infantile paralysis."

The early 20th century saw larger and more severe outbreaks. In 1916, a major epidemic in New York City resulted in over 27,000 cases and 6,000 deaths. These outbreaks prompted public health responses, including quarantines and the closure of public spaces.

Discovery of the Poliovirus

In 1908, Austrian physicians Karl Landsteiner and Erwin Popper identified the poliovirus as the causative agent of polio. They demonstrated that the disease could be transmitted to monkeys, establishing the viral nature of the disease.

Development of Vaccines

The development of polio vaccines was a major milestone in the history of the disease. In the 1950s, two types of vaccines were developed:

• Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): Developed by Jonas Salk and introduced in 1955, the IPV uses an inactivated (killed) virus to induce immunity. It is administered via injection.

• Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): Developed by Albert Sabin and introduced in 1961, the OPV uses a live attenuated virus and is administered orally. It became the vaccine of choice for mass immunization campaigns due to its ease of administration and ability to induce intestinal immunity.

Global Eradication Efforts

The success of vaccination programs led to a dramatic decline in polio cases worldwide. In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Rotary International, UNICEF, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The goal was to eradicate polio worldwide through widespread immunization.

Since the launch of the GPEI, polio cases have decreased by over 99%. As of 2023, polio remains endemic in only a few countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan. Efforts continue to achieve complete eradication.

Also see

• Poliovirus
• Jonas Salk
• Albert Sabin
• Global Polio Eradication Initiative
• Vaccine
• Infectious disease