Why in News?
Germany has detected wild poliovirus in Hamburg wastewater, marking Europe’s first such detection since 2010. The strain is linked to Afghanistan. No infections are reported, and the risk remains low due to high vaccination coverage, highlighting effective sewage surveillance.
Description:
- Polio is a highly infectious viral disease caused by poliovirus.
- The virus multiplies in the intestine, from where it can enter the bloodstream and invade the nervous system.
- Can cause irreversible paralysis; once paralysis occurs, no treatment can reverse it.
- These naturally occurring polioviruses are called Wild Polioviruses (WPV).
Variants (Types of Wild Poliovirus):
- Type 1 (WPV1): Only type still existing. Ongoing global efforts for eradication
- Type 2 (WPV2): Eradicated globally (declared in 2015)
- Type 3 (WPV3): Eradicated globally (declared in 2019)
Transmission:
- Spread occurs person-to-person, mainly through:
- Faecal–oral route (most common)
- Contaminated water or food (common vehicle)
- Virus survives in faeces of infected persons.
- Poor hand hygiene after defecation is a key cause of spread.
Endemism:
- WPV (Type 1) is endemic in only two countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan
- Detection of WPV1 outside these countries shows persistent risk of international spread until complete global eradication.
Symptoms:
Minor Symptoms (Non-paralytic Polio)- Tiredness, Nausea, Headache, Nasal congestion, Sore throat, cough, Stiffness in neck and back, Pain in arms and legs.
Major Symptom (Paralytic Polio):
- Permanent paralysis due to destruction of motor neurons
- Can be fatal if:
- Respiratory muscles are paralysed.
- Brain infection occurs.
Cure:
- No cure for polio once infected.
- Prevention through vaccination is the only protection:
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
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