1. Poliomyelitis

2. Polio is a highly infectious viral disease
“Aminu Ahmed holds his son Umar, 2, who also suffers from polio April 8, 2005 in Kano, Nigeria. Polio, a disease that health workers once had hoped to eradicate worldwide by 2005, is on the march again in Nigeria.”

3. One In 200 infections results in paralysis, usually of the legs.
95% of people infected don’t experience symptoms

4. In the 1930s a polio epidemic emerged in the US
In the 1930s a polio epidemic emerged in the US. Although Polio isn’t the most deadly infectious disease it terrified everyone
Cholera, typhus, yellow fever, diptheria, and TB were all more deadly and common
Polio could cripple an otherwise healthy child overnight
Not everyone who gets infected gets sick

5. So why an epidemic?
Around the 1900s nations cleaned up their water supplies

6. So why an epidemic?
Around the 1900s nations cleaned up their water supplies
Mothers used to pass antibodies to their children.

7. So why an epidemic?
Around the 1900s nations cleaned up their water supplies
Mothers used to pass antibodies to their children.
By the 1930s mothers no longer had those antibodies to pass to their children since they had never been exposed to the virus before

8. So why an epidemic?
Around the 1900s nations cleaned up their water supplies
Mothers used to pass antibodies to their children.
By the 1930s mothers no longer had those antibodies to pass to their children since they had never been exposed to the virus before
THIS LEFT CHILDREN VULNERABLE

9. It was not just a disease of the poor!
However children 5 and under were most vulnerable and most likely to get the disease
The crippling effects of polio are devastating and infection could strike anyone.

10. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Perfect example of how the disease can affect even the most affluent. He became an advocator for helping treat and prevent polio as well as an advocator for aid for polio survivors

11. This got peoples attention!
“Iron lungs” were used to help patients breathe if the paralysis spread to their diaphragm.

12. Clearly a vaccination is in order. BUT first what causes polio?

13. The Poliovirus (PV) Causes Polio
This was discovered in 1909 by Landsteiner and Popper. It is a RNA virus

14. Poliovirus invading a cell
The virus attaches to specific cell-surface receptors (Vpr)

15. Poliovirus invading a cell
The virus attaches to specific cell-surface receptors (Vpr)
It then enters the cell through endocytosis and releases its genetic material into the cytoplasm

16. POLIOVIRUS
PV enters the body through the nose or mouth then lives and multiplies in the human gut.

17. POLIOVIRUS
During this stage the patient experiences flu like symptoms such as:
Headache
vomiting
fever
Neck stiffness
Pain in limbs

18. Next, the virus moves to the blood stream where the immune system makes antibodies to it and hopefully fights it off.
If the Immune system fails…

19. PV travels to the central nervous system and attacks motor neurons which can result in flaccid paralysis, muscle weakening or death.
BUT, thankfully the human immune system is so good that it only causes paralysis in 1 in 200 cases!!
However it can still spread…

20. The poliovirus spreads through infected feces or phlegm
Open sewer
The Virus Can survive for up to two months outside the body!!!
Therefore It Spreads rapidly in areas of poor sanitation, living conditions and water supply

21. To stop the spread of polio scientists developed vaccines
In 1955 Dr. Jonas Salk produced the first polio vaccine:
A Killed virus vaccine
70-90% effective against all three strains of poliovirus

22. In 1957 Albert Sabin developed a live, attenuated vaccine
Delivered orally
provided longer immunity

23. Mandatory Vaccinations eliminated wild poliovirus infections from the U.S. by 1979!!!
So What Next??

24. 1988 a global eradication plan was put into action
Lead by WHO, UNICEF, Rotary international; and the US centers for disease control
The number of cases dropped by over 99% in the 20 years! (WHO)

25. And It Only takes a few drops!
20 million volunteers have vaccinated 2 billion children in 200 countries!
And It Only takes a few drops!

26. But there is still much work to be done!
The eradication campaign has encountered many set backs
Especially in the countries that remain endemic

27. Polio remains endemic in only four nations:
Pakistan
Afghanistan
India
Nigeria
The Polio eradication plan has been very successful and has saved millions of lives and it will continue until every child is vaccinated and the wild poliovirus no longer has a host!

28. The Numbers Today