Reaching the Last Child – Together We End Polio Forever.”
Polio:
Every year on 24 October, the world unites to commemorate World Polio Day, a global campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). This day raises awareness about poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease that mainly affects children under five years of age.
Polio has existed for centuries, but the global fight against it represents one of the greatest achievements in modern public health. Through vaccination, surveillance, and international collaboration, the number of polio cases has dropped by more than 99% since 1988, when the eradication initiative first began.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the disease has been successfully eliminated thanks to the strong leadership of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), high vaccination coverage, and continued commitment to supporting eradication efforts worldwide.
Polio, formally known as poliomyelitis, is caused by the poliovirus, a member of the enterovirus group. Once it enters the human body, the virus multiplies in the intestine and can invade the nervous system, causing paralysis within hours.
Polio mainly spreads through the faecal–oral route, especially in areas with inadequate sanitation. This means that the virus is excreted by an infected person and can contaminate food or water consumed by others.
There are three types of polioviruses:
- Type 1 – still exists in some parts of the world.
- Type 2 and Type 3 – declared eradicated globally.
Even though polio is preventable by vaccine, the virus remains a threat as long as it exists anywhere in the world. A single imported case can reintroduce the disease into previously polio-free countries.
What causes polio?
Poliovirus is highly contagious. It spreads primarily:
- Through contaminated water or food (faecal–oral route).
- By direct person-to-person contact with infected individuals.
After entering the body, the virus multiplies in the intestinal tract and may spread to the bloodstream and the central nervous system (CNS). When it reaches the spinal cord, it attacks and destroys motor neurons, nerve cells responsible for muscle movement, leading to flaccid paralysis.
What are the polio symptoms?
Polio has different forms, depending on the severity of infection:
1. Asymptomatic (Subclinical) Polio
About 90–95% of infected people show no symptoms at all. Despite this, they can still spread the virus to others.
2. Non-Paralytic Polio
Around 5% of cases experience mild, flu-like symptoms such as:
- Fever, sore throat, headache.
- Nausea, vomiting, fatigue.
- Muscle pain and stiffness.
- Back or neck discomfort.
Symptoms usually resolve within a week to ten days.
3. Paralytic Polio
This is the most severe form and occurs in less than 1% of infections. Symptoms include:
- Sudden onset of weakness or paralysis, usually in the legs.
- Loss of reflexes and muscle tone.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing if the respiratory muscles are affected.
- In extreme cases, paralysis can be permanent or fatal.
4. Post-Polio Syndrome
Years later, some survivors develop new symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, and progressive weakness — a condition called post-polio syndrome, which affects mobility and quality of life.
How is polio diagnosed?
Diagnosing polio involves both clinical assessment and laboratory confirmation. Doctors usually suspect the disease when a child develops sudden muscle weakness or flaccid paralysis without an obvious cause. The diagnosis is confirmed by testing stool samples, where the poliovirus is most likely to be detected using advanced molecular methods such as PCR. Additional tests, like throat swabs or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, may support the diagnosis. In the UAE and worldwide, acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is crucial; every case in children under 15 years is reported and investigated under WHO guidelines. Early and accurate diagnosis plays a vital role in preventing outbreaks and guiding public health actions.
What are the complications of polio?
- Permanent paralysis in limbs, most often the legs.
- Respiratory failure, if chest muscles are involved.
- Deformities and muscle wasting due to long-term immobility.
- Death in severe cases.
- Post-polio syndrome, appearing decades after the initial illness.
How is polio treated?
There is no specific cure for polio. Once paralysis develops, nerve damage cannot be reversed.
Treatment focuses on supportive care, including:
- Pain management and physical therapy to maintain muscle function.
- Mechanical ventilation for patients with breathing difficulties.
- Rehabilitation and mobility aids to improve quality of life.
Because treatment cannot repair nerve damage, prevention through vaccination is the only effective strategy.
How to prevent polio?
Vaccination
Vaccination is the strongest weapon against polio. Two types of vaccines are used worldwide:
- Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV)
- Given by injection.
- Contains killed virus.
- Safe and effective, used in routine immunisation schedules.
- Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV)
- Given orally (drops).
- Contains weakened live virus.
- Easy to administer, used in mass immunisation campaigns.
The UAE National Immunisation Programme ensures that every child receives polio vaccines according to schedule, both through government health centres and private healthcare facilities.
Other preventive measures include:
- Maintaining high sanitation and hygiene standards.
- Ensuring safe drinking water and proper waste disposal.
- Continuous surveillance and reporting of suspected cases.
Global Eradication Efforts
In 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched, supported by WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and the CDC. Since then, more than 2.5 billion children have been vaccinated.
Results:
- Over 99% decline in global cases.
- Wild poliovirus type 1 remains only in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Types 2 and 3 officially eradicated.
However, outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) in some countries show that vaccination campaigns must continue until the virus is complet
Hygiene and environmental measures
While vaccination is primary, improving sanitation, safe water supply, hand hygiene, and controlling human-to-human spread are also important. Since the virus spreads via the fecal-oral route, community sanitation helps reduce risk.
Global Polio Eradication Efforts
Since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, remarkable progress has been made in reducing global polio cases by over 99%. Today, only a few regions still report isolated cases, thanks to extensive vaccination campaigns, surveillance systems, and cross-border coordination led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners.
In the United Arab Emirates, strong government commitment and the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s ongoing immunization programs have kept the country polio-free for years. The UAE has also played a leading role in supporting international eradication campaigns, contributing to global health and child welfare.
This year’s World Polio Day theme emphasizes the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage and vigilance to ensure that polio never returns. With sustained public awareness, community engagement, and international collaboration, a polio-free world is within reach.
Although tremendous progress has been made toward eliminating polio, the journey is not yet complete. Sustaining high vaccination rates, strengthening surveillance, and maintaining international collaboration are essential to protect future generations.
At TheKnowHow, we stand committed to supporting global and national efforts toward a polio-free world because prevention, awareness, and unity remain the strongest tools in securing a healthier future for all.
WHO. Polio Fact Sheet. 2025 : Poliomyelitis
Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). 2025. Polio eradication
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