World Polio Day: Come Together For a Polio-Free World

Do you know that India was declared polio-free by WHO in 2014? Polio was among the most feared diseases in the early 20th century, affecting thousands of children. At its peak in the 1980s, polio affected many children every day across the world. In 1985, Rotary International started immunisation initiatives globally to control the disease, and to date, more than 2.5 billion children have been vaccinated. Today, many countries have successfully eradicated polio, and as a result global polio cases have decreased by 99%. 

Every year, on October 24th, World Polio Day is observed to raise awareness about this lethal disease and support initiatives to eliminate it. Keep reading to learn more about Polio, and the importance of World Polio Day.

How is Polio Caused?

Poliovirus causes polio and is spread through the people infected with the virus. The virus enters the body and reproduces itself in the throat and the gut affecting nerves that control muscle movement. In severe cases, it may cause paralysis affecting the legs, arms or the muscle that controls breathing. It mainly affects children under 5. However, adults can also get a polio infection if they are not vaccinated.

How is Polio Spread?

Polio is a contagious disease that is spread from one person to  anothern. The poliovirus spreads in the body through the mouth or nose. It is passed through, 

• Coughing and sneezing
• Not washing hands after using the toilet
• Drinking contaminated water
• Coming in close contact with an infected person

What are the Types of Polio?

Poliovirus or wild poliovirus has three variants, type 1, type 2 and type 3. However, type 2 and type 3 do not exist today, only type 1 poliovirus is still present in some countries. Different types of polio affect the body differently, according to the part of the body infected by the poliovirus, 

Abortive Polio

It is a mild form of polio that causes intestinal discomfort. The symptoms are similar to flu, which appear in 3 to 7 days after the infection and last for only a few days. Its symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, diarrhoea, sore throat and vomiting.

Non-Paralytic Polio

It may cause swelling in the brain or meningitis. It may require hospitalisation due to severe symptoms like severe headache, neck stiffness, pain in arms and legs, and sensitivity to light.

Paralytic Polio

Paralytic polio affects the brain stem and nerves in the spinal cord. It paralyses the muscles that control the movement of limbs (spinal polio) or muscles controlling speech, swallowing and breathing (bulbar polio). In rare cases, a person may get both bulbar and spinal polio causing bulbospinal polio.

Polioencephalitis

This type of polio affects infants and causes swelling in the brain. Its symptoms include extreme tiredness and difficulty in cognition.

What are the Preventive Measures for Polio?

Prevention is the best way to eradicate polio. Here are the key measures to help in the prevention of polio.

• Timely vaccination as per the vaccination schedule.
• Do not miss any booster doses.
• Maintain good hygiene and sanitation
• Covering mouth while sneezing and coughing
• Public awareness and education

World Polio Day: History and Importance

World Polio Day was introduced by Rotary International in the year 1985 in memory of Jonas Stalk, the lead researcher of the medical team that created the first polio vaccine in 1955. In 1988, Rotary International with the WHO launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to work towards a polio-free world. 

Since then, every year the World Polio Day theme has focused on the efforts made for polio disease eradication and promoting a future filled with hope for mother and children’s health. This day is important as the fight against polio continues and World Polio Day is an occasion to 

• Celebrate all the efforts and progress made in all these years to control the spread of the disease.
• Educate people about the role of polio vaccination in preventing the disease.
• Bring together governments, organisations and communities to end polio.
• Remind people that constant efforts are required to completely eradicate polio which remains in a few parts of the world.

Join the Movement for a Polio-Free World

World Polio Day is an important day that encourages everyone to continue the fight against polio. It is the responsibility of every individual to contribute to the efforts to end Polio completely.  In this initiative, Care Health Insurance extends its full support by offering comprehensive health insurance catering various medical needs of your entire family. Visit our website and secure your family! 

>>Also Read: The Benefits of Vaccination Cover in Health Insurance

Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.