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World Polio Day

Why in the news?

Every year 24th October is celebrated as World Polio Day.

Polio

Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a viral disease primarily affecting children.

• Viral Infection: Polio is caused by the poliovirus, which spreads through contaminated water and food, as well as person-to-person contact.
• Symptoms: Initial symptoms resemble those of common illnesses but can progress to paralysis, affecting the limbs and, in severe cases, the respiratory muscles.
• Paralysis: It can lead to permanent muscle weakness or paralysis, potentially causing lifelong disability or death.
• Vaccination: Effective vaccines have been developed, making it a preventable disease through routine immunization.
• World Polio Day is observed on October 24th each year to raise awareness about the importance of eradicating polio.
• It highlights the progress made through vaccination campaigns and emphasizes the need for continued vigilance to ensure that the world remains polio-free.
• Theme of Polio Day for the year 2023 is ‘A healthy future for mother and child’.
• In 1955 ,Jonas Salk created the First inactivated poliovirus vaccine , which led to the development of Oral Polio Vaccine in 1962.
• India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization in 2014 with the last case of wild poliovirus reported on 13th January 2011.
• India has effectively safeguarded its children by conducting routine vaccination campaigns at designated locations and implementing door-to-door monitoring.
• Polio remains endemic in two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan. Until poliovirus transmission is interrupted in these countries, all countries remain at risk of importation of polio.