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Poliomyelitis (formerly children’s palsy or Heinrich-Medin’s disease) is an acute infectious disease caused by three types of poliovirus – 1, 2 and 3. They do not differ in virulence. However, protection against disease makes it possible to immunize against a specific type of virus that attacks the body.

Infections with polioviruses have a variety of courses: from asymptomatic, benign, through meningitis, to severe paralytic diseases.

For many years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been running a worldwide eradication program for poliomyelities. Mass vaccinations against poliomyelitis, conducted as part of this program, led to a dramatic decrease in the number of cases in a short time, especially in Europe, North America, Japan and Australia. Vaccination against poliomyelitis is still ongoing throughout the world, despite the fact that the disease has been eradicated.

DISEASE

VACCINES

ERADICATION PORGRAM

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

WHO HAD ILLNES

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