Key facts

Transmission

Touching the mouth with hands or objects (for example, toys) that are contaminated by the stools of a person infected with polio
Drinking water or food contaminated by the stools of a person infected with polio

Symptoms

Starts with fever, tiredness, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck or back, or pain or stiffness in the arms or legs.
Symptoms of “acute flaccid paralysis” or AFP are: sudden loss of reflexes (movement), severe muscle aches or weakness, and loose and floppy arms and legs.
About one in 200 people with polio is permanently paralysed (unable to move).
Among those paralysed, up to a tenth (10 per cent) die because the virus affects the muscles that help them breathe.

Prevention

Routine vaccination
Handwashing with soap (especially after using the toilet or cleaning a child)
Use of appropriate sanitation facilities (sound, clean latrines with proper faecal sludge management)
Social mobilization and behaviour change communication

Vulnerable people

Children who are not vaccinated are most at risk
Children living in areas with poor hygiene, sanitation and water infrastructure and services

If an epidemic occurs

Promote mass vaccination campaigns
Initiate community-based surveillance
Rapidly detect and refer suspected cases to health facilities
Increase social mobilization and behaviour change communication
Promote handwashing with soap (especially after using the toilet, defecating, or cleaning a child)
Promote use of appropriate sanitation facilities (sound, clean latrines that are well maintained and have proper faecal sludge management)
Promote safe, clean drinking water (including a clean, covered water container in the household)

Community-based assessment - questions

Make a map of the community and mark the information you gather on the map. Record other details.

When did the person first experience acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)?
How many people have experienced acute flaccid paralysis?
How many people have fallen sick with other polio symptoms? Where?
Was that person fully vaccinated against polio?
How many people live in the affected community?
How many children under 15 years old live in the affected community?
Are children in the affected community vaccinated for polio (orally or by injectable vaccine)? How many are not?
Do strong cultural beliefs or perceptions about vaccination prevent children from being vaccinated?
Who and where are the vulnerable people?
Are there any health services? Where?
Have the health services been alerted to a potential polio case?
Is a vaccination campaign planned?
Is a social mobilization or health promotion programme in place?
Which sources of information do people use most?
Are rumours or is misinformation about the disease spreading in the community?

A child with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)

Polio

Volunteer actions

25. Mass vaccination campaigns 24. Routine vaccinations 01. Community-based surveillance 02. Community mapping 03. Communicating with the community 04. Community referral to health facilities 05. Volunteer protection and safety 19. Psychosocial support 29. Hygiene promotion 30. Clean, safe household water 31. Good food hygiene 32. Sanitation 33. Encouraging the use and maintanace of latrines 34. Handwashing with soap 43. Social mobilization and behaviour change