Understanding Polio: What Journalists Should Know About this Disease
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a viral disease caused by the poliovirus, and it has been a topic of interest and concern for journalists and health professionals for many years. Understanding the basics of polio is vital for journalists covering health-related topics and outbreaks.
The disease primarily affects the nervous system and can lead to paralysis. However, most people infected with the poliovirus do not exhibit any visible symptoms. In some cases, about 1 in 4 people, poliovirus infection may result in flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, tiredness, nausea, headache, and stomach pain. These symptoms typically last for 2 to 5 days and resolve on their own.
A smaller proportion of infected individuals may experience more severe symptoms that affect the brain and spinal cord. These can include meningitis (infection of the spinal cord or brain covering) and paralysis in the arms or legs. Paralysis is the most severe symptom associated with poliovirus infection and can lead to permanent disability and death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently made an alarming announcement concerning the presence of polioviruses in New York. Specifically, polioviruses have been detected in a paralytic polio case involving an unvaccinated adult in Rockland County and in wastewater samples from nearby communities. This discovery leads to the classification of these polioviruses as circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), indicating ongoing transmission of the virus in the Rockland County, New York, region. The CDC is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and other international public health organizations to address this concerning situation.
The United States has now joined a group of approximately 30 other countries that have identified cVDPVs. Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus emerges when local immunity to the poliovirus weakens to a point where sustained transmission of the original weakened virus found in the oral polio vaccine can occur. As the virus continues to circulate and accumulate genetic changes, it may regain the ability to infect the central nervous system, leading to paralysis. It is crucial to note that cVDPVs are not linked to children receiving the polio vaccine. In the United States, oral polio vaccine has not been used or licensed since 2000, although it remains in use in certain countries.
Poliovirus is highly contagious and spreads from person to person through various means. The virus resides in an infected person's throat and intestines, making it capable of contaminating food and water in unsanitary conditions. Poliovirus can be transmitted through contact with feces due to minute particles of feces on hands can be ingested when touching the mouth. Objects like toys contaminated with feces can transmit the virus when placed in the mouth. And the virus can also be spread through sneezing and coughing; droplets from an infected person's sneeze or cough can also carry the virus, though this is much less common. An infected individual can spread the virus immediately before and up to 2 weeks after symptoms appear. It's worth noting that people who do not exhibit symptoms can still pass the virus to others, potentially making them sick.
Vaccination is the primary method of preventing polio. Two types of vaccines are available:
Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV): This vaccine is administered as an injection and has been used in the United States since 2000.
Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV): Still used in many parts of the world.
Both vaccines help prepare a person's body to fight the poliovirus. Ensuring that children receive all the recommended doses of IPV is essential to protecting them from polio. Additionally, good hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of the virus.
Healthcare providers who suspect a patient has polio should take several steps to diagnose the disease, including hospitalizing the patient for a thorough examination, collecting various samples (stool, throat swab, blood, urine, and spinal fluid), and obtaining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the spinal cord. Poliovirus is most likely to be detected in stool specimens.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for paralytic polio, and there is no specific treatment for the disease. However, physical or occupational therapy may help improve outcomes, especially if implemented early during the course of the illness. Consulting with neurology and infectious disease experts may be necessary to discuss possible treatments and interventions on a case-by-case basis.
In case you or someone you know exhibits symptoms of polio, it is essential to contact a healthcare provider immediately or go to an emergency room. Prompt medical attention can make a significant difference in the management of this disease.
