Poliomyelitis
Description: Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a crippling disease caused by any one of three related viruses, poliovirus types 1, 2 or 3. The only way to spread poliovirus is through the faecal/oral route. The virus enters the body through the mouth when people eat food or drink water that is contaminated with faeces. The virus then multiplies in the intestine, enters the bloodstream, and may invade certain types of nerve cells, which it can damage or destroy. Polioviruses spread very easily in areas with poor hygiene
Prevention: Live oral polio vaccine (OPV) - four doses in endemic countries
or Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) given by injection - two-three doses depending on country schedule
Statistics on Poliomyelitis
