The Nigeria Medical Association,NMA Chairman Rivers State branch,Dr Diamond Tamunokuro on behalf of SOC and SEC commemorates World Polio Day, a day observed every year to raise awareness about polio and the efforts to eradicate the disease globally.
Public Relations Officer of NMA in Rivers State Dr.Siene Orogun in a statement on Thursday,24th October,2024 said the Day commemorates the birth of Jonas Salk, who developed the first successful polio vaccine in the 1950s.
The Rivers NMA PRO disclosed that the day serves several purposes which include
*Awareness :It aims to educate the public about polio, its effects, and the importance of vaccination.
*Advocacy: Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and Rotary International use this day to advocate for continued funding and support for polio eradication efforts.
*Celebration of Progress: World Polio Day is also a time to celebrate the successes achieved in the fight against polio, highlighting the significant reduction in cases worldwide due to vaccination campaigns.
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease caused by the poliovirus.
It primarily affects children under the age of five, although unvaccinated individuals of any age can be at risk.
*Transmission*
Virus Spread: The poliovirus spreads primarily through the fecal-oral route, meaning it can be transmitted through contaminated food or water. It can also spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person.
Asymptomatic Cases: Most people infected with the virus (about 72%) do not exhibit any symptoms, but they can still spread the virus.
*Symptoms*
Mild Symptoms:
In some cases, polio can cause mild flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, and stiffness in the neck and back.
Severe Symptoms:
In a smaller percentage of cases (about 1%), the virus can invade the nervous system, leading to more severe symptoms such as paralysis, muscle weakness, and, in some cases, death. The paralysis can be permanent and can affect the limbs, respiratory muscles, and even the diaphragm.
*Types of Polio*
Spinal Polio: Affects the spinal cord and can lead to paralysis of the legs and trunk.
Bulbar Polio: Affects the brainstem and can impair breathing and swallowing.
Bulbospinal Polio: A combination of both spinal and bulbar polio.
*Prevention*
Vaccination: The most effective way to prevent polio is through vaccination. There are two main types of vaccines:
Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV): An injection that contains killed poliovirus.
Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV): An oral vaccine that contains weakened live virus.
*OPV is often used in mass immunization campaigns because it can provide herd immunity.*
*Global Eradication Efforts*
Global Initiative: The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched in 1988, leading to a significant reduction in polio cases worldwide.
Current Status: While polio has been eradicated in many parts of the world, it remains endemic in a few countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.
*Ongoing vaccination campaigns are crucial to prevent outbreaks and achieve complete eradication*.
Dr.Orogun added that some individuals who recover from polio may experience post-polio syndrome (PPS) decades later, characterized by new muscle weakness, fatigue, and pain.