What is polio?

Some information about Polio and links to where to find out more


Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5.

Most know it as poliovirus. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. 

Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide.

For more information on the fight to eradicate polio, see www.endpolio.org www.polioeradication.org www.rotarygbi.org/our-causes/end-polio-now/

Related pages...

Child receiving Polio Vaccine

Latest Progress Report - October 2019

more Report on progress of efforts to make the world Polio Free

Rotary and Polio Eradication History

more Highlights from the history of Polio Eradication over the years

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Polio eradication

back Rotary has been in the vanguard of the drive to eradicate polio for more than 30 years