THE GLOBAL POLIO ERADICATION PROGRAM: CURRENT SITUATION IN STRATEGIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE WORLD AND IN TURKEY

Abstract

Poliomyelitis is a debilitating disease caused by poliovirus (genus Enterovirus) types 1,2 and 3 all of which can cause paralysis. Polio remains primarily a disease of infants and young children. In many polio-endemic countries, 70- 80% of cases are less than 3 years of age and 80-90% of cases are less than 5 years of age. Clusters of susceptible persons, including groups that refuse immunization, minority populations, economic migrants and other unregistered children, nomads, refugees and urban poor are at high risk.