For Your Information: Ensuring the Full Eradication of Polio (WHO Topic A)
Polio, short for Poliomyelitis, is an infectious disease that usually
spreads by contact through the mouth. This virus stems from the lack of
sanitation; it is incurable, and mainly
targets children five or under. Although this virus can cause paralysis or
death, the vast majority do not become sick. Thanks to the World Health
Organization (WHO)’s dedication
to the ongoing eradication of polio, the majority of people are no longer in
danger of this virus; however, it has not been totally eradicated, and thus may
still exacerbate into an epidemic.
There are three types of poliomyelitis; sub-clinical, non-paralytic,
and paralytic. Thankfully, ninety-five percent of people with polio are
infected with first kind, which is relatively harmless. The remaining five
percent are divided into the other two cases: non-paralytic polio results in
flu symptoms such as headaches, vomiting, fever, fatigue, and stiffness; paralytic
polio causes, well, paralysis from the spine, brainstem, or both. Furthermore,
you may be affected by the post-polio syndrome. In most cases, the victims are
influenced with severe swelling, fatigue, and exhaustion which may lead to
death.
Before the advent of modern medicine, most people had no idea that they
had been contracted polio until the symptoms worsened. Initially, it was
believed to be incurable. However,
after much research, scientists have found polio to be preventable by means of vaccination, which has been
responsible for the significant reduction in polio worldwide.
Two vaccinations were developed in the 1950s: one by Hilary Koproski
in 1950, and the other by Jonas Salk in 1955. Designed to strengthen the immune
system, the ‘Inactivated Polio Vaccine’ (IPV) consists
of a total of three injections that contain inactivate polio strains, which
prevents the virus from entering the nervous system. A third vaccine was
developed by Albert Sbin in 1961; this administers a much weaker version of
poliovirus through the mouth and is called the ‘Oral Polio Vaccine’ (OPV). While
the OPV generates a stronger immunity to the bacteria, it requires additional
sterilization. Also, a side effect from the OPV called ‘Vaccine-derived
poliovirus’ (IDPV) is said to be able to cause an outbreak,
even if that chance is one in a million. So, these two immunizers are used on
different occasions. Countries that are in need of mass polio eradication rely
on the OPV, while countries that need to focus on individual vaccinations
depend on the IPV.
Through the efforts of the WHO and many other foundations, the polio
situation has taken a turn for the better and the virus has almost been totally
eradicated. Unfortunately, it remains in three countries: Pakistan, Nigeria,
and Afghanistan. Many attempts to eradicate and eliminate polio have been and
are being made. Nevertheless, problems arising from these countries prevent
them from doing so. One common issue among countries is religion. Religious
controversies in countries surrounding the vaccination have caused people to
turn away those who are trying to help stop the disease. Another main cause stems
from the refusal of children’s parents and
the children themselves, and part of the reason has to do with the lack of polio
awareness. With little or no knowledge of polio, parents feel no need for
children to receive vaccines as long as they feel that their children are
healthy.
Furthermore, despite having the vaccinators come to their houses
door-by-door, many children miss this opportunity because they are not at home
at that point in time. In spite of these problems, people are looking for
better ways to stop polio. Compromises between countries, volunteer activities,
and others are coming together to bring a healthier and safer world without
polio.
by Janette Rhee
Photo courtesy of http://www.drjohnejones.com/end_polio_now.htm
