poliomyeliitin

Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children. The virus, known as poliovirus, is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated water or food. The incubation period ranges from a few days to several weeks. Polio can cause paralysis by infecting the gray matter of the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness or paralysis. The disease is classified into three types based on the virus serotype: wild poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3, and vaccine-derived poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3. Vaccination is the most effective means of prevention. The World Health Organization (WHO) has made significant progress in eradicating polio, with the last wild polio case reported in 2019. However, the disease remains a threat in some regions, particularly in countries with limited access to vaccines. Ongoing efforts focus on maintaining vaccination coverage and addressing the socio-economic factors that contribute to polio transmission.