Polio – Ukraine

September 3, 2021 – Poliomyelitis was suspected and identified in an infant in Ukraine. The 1.5 year-old infant showed symptoms of paresis between September 1, 2021 and September 3, 2021. The child’s parents did not have the child vaccinated against the infectious disease due to religious beliefs.

According to the source, poliomyelitis is an infectious disease of a viral nature that is easily transmitted between persons. Transmission can occur from direct contact with contaminated food or water, of the bodily fluids of an infected individual. It is likely the child contracted the disease from an individual who carried the pathogen, though further investigation is needed. Vaccination is the commonly used preventative measure against this disease.

Officials state that the health and public health systems in the target regions of Ukraine are carrying out surveillance efforts and investigations. This includes contacting individuals who have been in close contact with the infected individual and conducting further study and analysis on virus that was identified. via analysis.

Photo: Polio virus, colorized.

Poliomyelitis, commonly shortened to polio, is an infectious disease caused by a virus. In about 0.5 percent of cases, it moves from the gut to affect the central nervous system and there is muscle weakness. Many people fully recover. However, years after recovery, post-polio syndrome may occur, with a slow development of muscle weakness similar to that which the person had during the initial infection.

The disease is preventable with the polio vaccine; however, multiple doses are required for it to be effective.

Poliomyelitis has existed for thousands of years, with depictions of the disease in ancient art. The disease was first recognized as a distinct condition by the English physician Michael Underwood in 1789 and the virus that causes it was first identified in 1909 by the Austrian immunologist Karl Landsteiner. The first polio vaccine was developed in the 1950s.

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