poliomyelitis

Transmission - through ingestion of infected faeces (most commonly in contaminated food and water).

Disease - a viral infection. Severity of illness varies from an asymptomatic one to infection of the motor neurons leading to limb paralysis and breathing problems.

Symptoms - headache, gastric disturbance, neck stiffness and malaise.

Treatment - specialised medical treatment needed.

Prevention - avoiding contaminated food and water. Immunisation.

Vaccine - polio vaccine is part of the childhood vaccine programme with the final dose being at fourteen to fifteen. Boosters are then required every ten years. The Polio virus has been eradicated from much of the world now and efforts continue to rid the world of this disease within the next five years.