The role of the physician in the Polio Eradication initiative

RESUMO

Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly disease that can cause life long paralysis in children destroying their future and at times place a financial burden on the families and communities. Historical Background: Poliomyelitis is an ancient disease; believed to have occured nearly 6000 years ago according to the withered limbs of certain Egyptian mummies found in pyramids of 3700 BC. Poliomyelitis was first described in 1789 by underwood; in 1951 3 types of poliovirus were identified; 1961 Sabin produced the attenuated Oral Vaccine (OPV). With the success of polio vaccines; which drastically reduced poliomyelitis; the 41st WHA in may 1988 adopted a resolution to eradicate poliomyetitis by the year 2000. Polio eradicationis defined as no cases of clinical poliomyelitis associated with wild polio virus. No wild polio virus found world-wide despite intensive efforts to do so