Topic: Poliomyelitis (polio)
Description
Poliomyelitis (or polio) is a gastrointestinal infection caused by three types of polioviruses. The virus can invade local lymphoid tissue and the blood stream and may then infect the cells of the central nervous system causing paralysis. Following the introduction of polio vaccine there has be a dramatic decrease in polio infection in Australia. In 2000, Australia was certified as polio free by the World Health Organisation. However, until polio is eradicated from the rest of the world, it is still important for Australia to maintain high vaccination rates as there is an ongoing risk of polio being imported from other countries.
Symptoms
Polio can cause either mild or severe symptoms. Symptoms may include headache, gastrointestinal disturbance and stiffness of muscles in the neck and back with or with out paralysis.
The time from contact with the virus and the development of symptoms is usually about 3 to 21 days, but can be longer.
Transmission
The disease is spread directly from person-to-person. This can occur when faeces from an infected person contaminates something which is transferred to another person’s mouth.
The virus can be transmitted for as long as a person in infectious, which is from 7 to 10 days before the onset of symptoms until 7 to 10 days after symptoms appear.
Treatment
There is no proven treatment for the virus. Treatment usually focuses on the complications of paralysis especially for persons in need of respiratory assistance.
Control
Children with polio should be excluded from child care or school until at least 14 days after the onset of illness and until receipt of a medical certificate of recovery from infection has been provided.
All contacts within the neighbourhood of a case of poliomyelitis need to be investigated for disease and offered polio vaccination regardless of previous vaccination status.
Unvaccinated contacts in the neighbourhood should commence a primary course of polio vaccine consisting of three doses at 0, 1 and 2 months.
Hand washing and good hygiene practices are essential and is the most effective way of reducing the spread of poliomyelitis infection. Hands should be washed thoroughly in soap and water for at least 15 seconds and then dried thoroughly. It is important to wash hands after going to the toilet, touching soiled linen or articles and before preparing or eating food.
Prevention
Widespread vaccination against poliomyelitis is the only effective method of preventing the disease.
Injectable polio vaccination (IPV) is part of the National Immunisation Program and is recommended for all children and is given in combination with diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTPa-IPV) at 2, 4 and 6 months of age with a booster at 4 years of age.
Help and Assistance
For further information please contact your local doctor, community health centre, nearest population health unit or contact Queensland Health information phone number 13HEALTH.
Other Resources and Related Content
Polio and immunisation fact sheet
References
Heymann, D., ed. 2004. Control of Communicable Diseases Manu al, 18th edition. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.
National Health and Medical Research Council, 2003. The Australian Immunisation Hand book (9th Ed.) Canberra: National Capital Printing.
Last Updated: 12th October, 2009
Date Valid to: 30th June, 2010
