The World Health Organization (WHO) has always strived to eradicate polio and is approaching this goal every year. The steps the WHO has taken to make people aware can help every person eradicate polio. To raise awareness about polio, World Polio Day is observed all over the world on 24 October every year. Polio was once known as a very common infectious disease that disrupted the lives of millions of children worldwide.
Why is polio day celebrated on 24 October?
World Polio Day is observed every year on October 24 to commemorate the birthday of Jonas Salk, an American virologist. Who helped create the world's first safe and effective polio vaccine. On April 12 in 1955, Doctor Jonas Salk had declared polio prevention medicine safe and presented to the world. At one time, this disease was a big challenge for the whole world and Dr. Salk had invented a drug to prevent it and gave mankind a weapon to fight this deadly disease. But in 1988 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was established. The initiative was undertaken by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, and others who were determined to eradicate polio globally.
What is polio?
Polio or poliomyelitis is a crippling, potentially fatal disease. This disease is caused by the poliovirus. This virus, which spreads from person to person, can attack the brain and spinal cord of the infected person, causing the possibility of paralysis. In the event of paralysis, the body cannot be moved and the person may be handicapped, limbs, or any other limb. With the efforts of the World Health Organization and the persistence of the governments of various countries, the vaccination campaign saved the world from polio. India has been polio-free for the last 7-8 years. However, some cases of disability occur in some parts of the world.
Two types of polio vaccine evolved
Two types of polio vaccines have been invented to combat polio worldwide. The first vaccine developed by Jonas Salk, first tested in 1952 and certified on 12 April 1955, and presented for worldwide use. It was a dose of inactivated or dead poliovirus. At the same time, an oral vaccine was also developed by Albert Sabin using diluted poliovirus, which started testing in 1957 and was licensed in 1962. The world first remembers the contribution of Doctor Salk to develop the vaccine.
Symptoms of polio
The Cleveland Clinic states that about 72 percent of people infected with polio do not experience any symptoms. About 25 percent of the infected people have symptoms such as fever, sore throat, nausea, headache, fatigue, and body aches. The remaining few patients may have more severe symptoms of polio, such as the following: -
Paraesthesia- Pin and needle pricking experience in hands and feet.
Meningitis - an infection in the brain and spinal cord.
Paralysis - loss or absence of the ability to move the leg, arm, and stretch in the breathing muscles.