The polio it is an infectious disease affecting the central nervous system. It mainly affects the motor neurons of the spinal cord, which is why one of the consequences can be total paralysis, in the most severe cases (1%). The virus is transmitted from man to man through the saliva and droplets emitted with coughs and sneezing those subjects who have developed the disease or who are healthy carriers; as well as by ingesting contaminated water or food.
The initial symptoms of poliomyelitis are fever, fatigue, vomiting, neck stiffness and pains in the limbs. Later, in the course of the disease, it is possible that aseptic meningitis (5-10% of cases) and paralysis (1% of cases) develop, which often leads to death. There is currently no cure, but two vaccines have been created that prevent central nervous system infection. What has made it possible to completely eliminate the presence of the disease in Europe is Sabin (OPV), which is “live attenuated” and is administered orally. The last case of polio in Italy was recorded in 1982.
What is polio: the disease that killed Robin Cavendish
Robin Cavendish, father of the English producer Jonathan Cavendish as well as the protagonist of the true story of the film “Your every breath”, Died of polio in 1994 in Oxfordshire. The disease was diagnosed at the age of 28 (although it usually affects children under 5 years of age) and the doctors had told him that he would have only three months to live. The man, however, did not give up and, thanks to a particular respirator, he managed to live with dignity until the age of 64.
The last case of polio in Europe was recorded only four years after the death of Robin Cavendish, therefore in 1998. The victim was Melik Minas, a nearly 3-year-old boy originally from Turkey unvaccinated, who suffered from paralysis. It was subsequently eradicated. Cases in the past 25 years have decreased by 99%. In some areas of the world, however, the virus is unfortunately still present: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria.
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