WORLD POLIO DAY

“World Polio Day 2022 and Beyond: A healthier future for mothers and children.”

Polio is a virus that may cause paralysis and is easily preventable by the polio vaccine, it is transmitted through contaminated water or food, or contact with an infected person.

World Polio Day highlights the global efforts to end poliomyelitis worldwide. It is observed annually on 24th October.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched in 1988, by the World Health Assembly. Years later, Rotary International founded World Polio Day, the first event was held in the early 2000s. They chose October 24th to commemorate the birthdate of Jonas Salk who led the first team to develop a vaccination against polio and began testing it in 1953.

Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is the only polio vaccine that has been given in the United States since 2000. It is given by shot in the arm or leg, depending on the person’s age. Oral polio vaccine (OPV) is used in other countries.

Since there is no cure for polio, the focus is on increasing comfort, speeding recovery and preventing complications. Supportive treatments include: Pain relievers, Portable ventilators to assist breathing and Moderate exercise to prevent deformity and loss of muscle function.