History of Polio in Timeline

Poliomyelitis, or polio, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Most cases are asymptomatic. However, some individuals experience mild symptoms such as sore throat and fever. More severe cases can result in headache, neck stiffness, and paresthesia, typically resolving within weeks. Paralysis, potentially leading to death, is a less frequent but serious outcome. Post-polio syndrome, characterized by muscle weakness similar to the initial infection, can emerge years after recovery.

1900: Polio Epidemics Appear in Europe and the United States

Around 1900, small localized paralytic polio epidemics began to appear in Europe and the United States. These outbreaks marked the start of a significant public health challenge.

1909: Identification of the Polio Virus

In 1909, the virus that causes poliomyelitis was first identified by Austrian immunologist Karl Landsteiner, marking a crucial step in understanding the disease.

1911: First Use of the Abbreviation "Polio"

In 1911, the abbreviated version "polio" was first used in the Indianapolis Star, marking the introduction of a shorter, more common term for poliomyelitis.

1950: Shift in Peak Age Incidence of Paralytic Poliomyelitis in the United States

By 1950, the peak age incidence of paralytic poliomyelitis in the United States had shifted from infants to children aged five to nine years, when the risk of paralysis is greater. About one-third of the cases were reported in persons over 15 years of age. The rate of paralysis and death due to polio infection also increased during this time.

1950: Purification of Gamma Globulin by William Hammon

In 1950, William Hammon at the University of Pittsburgh purified the gamma globulin component of the blood plasma of polio survivors and proposed its use to prevent and reduce the severity of polio.

1952: Development of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine

In 1952, Jonas Salk at the University of Pittsburgh developed the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

1952: Worst Polio Epidemic in United States History

The 1952 polio epidemic became the worst outbreak in the nation's history. Of the nearly 58,000 cases reported that year, 3,145 died and 21,269 were left with mild to disabling paralysis.

April 1955: Announcement of the Salk Vaccine

On April 12, 1955, Jonas Salk announced the development of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) to the world, marking a major breakthrough in the fight against polio.

1957: Human Trials of Sabin's Vaccine Began

In 1957, human trials of Albert Sabin's oral polio vaccine (OPV) began, testing its effectiveness and safety.

1957: Dedication of the Polio Hall of Fame

In 1957, the Polio Hall of Fame was dedicated at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation in Warm Springs, Georgia, US. It honored fifteen scientists and two laymen who made important contributions to the knowledge and treatment of poliomyelitis.

1958: Selection of Sabin's Vaccine by NIH

In 1958, Sabin's live attenuated vaccine was selected by the US National Institutes of Health, in competition with other vaccines.

1961: Introduction of the Oral Polio Vaccine

The oral polio vaccine (OPV), containing weakened viruses, has been in use since 1961, revolutionizing polio immunization strategies.

1962: Licensing of Sabin's Oral Polio Vaccine

In 1962, Sabin's oral polio vaccine (OPV) was licensed and rapidly became the only oral polio vaccine used worldwide.

1977: Number of Polio Survivors in the United States

In 1977, there were 254,000 persons living in the United States who had been paralyzed by polio, illustrating the lasting impact of the disease.

1980: Smallpox Eradication

In 1980, smallpox was declared eradicated, marking a significant achievement in global health and serving as a precedent for polio eradication efforts.

1988: Start of Polio Eradication Efforts

In 1988, following the widespread use of poliovirus vaccine in the mid-1950s and the decline of new poliomyelitis cases, efforts to completely eradicate the disease started.

1988: Launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative

In 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched, led by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and The Rotary Foundation. This marked the beginning of a global effort to eradicate polio.

1988: Estimated Polio Cases in 1988

In 1988, there were an estimated 350,000 cases of polio, highlighting the initial scope of the polio epidemic.

1991: Last Known Polio Case in the Americas

In 1991, the last known polio case in the Americas was a boy in Peru.

1994: The Americas Declared Polio-Free

In 1994, the Americas were declared polio-free, a significant achievement in public health.

1999: Last Polio Case in Syria Before the Outbreak

The polio outbreak in 2013 was the first outbreak in Syria since 1999.

2000: Elimination of Polio in the Western Pacific

In 2000, polio was declared to have been officially eliminated in 37 Western Pacific countries, including China and Australia.

2001: Lowest Number of Polio Cases in 2001

In 2001, the number of polio cases reached a low of 483, reflecting the impact of early eradication efforts.

2001: Estimated Number of Polio Survivors in Various Countries

In 2001, there were approximately 40,000 polio survivors with varying degrees of paralysis were living in Germany, 30,000 in Japan, 24,000 in France, 16,000 in Australia, 12,000 in Canada and 12,000 in the United Kingdom.

2002: Europe Declared Polio-Free

In 2002, Europe was declared polio-free, marking a significant milestone in the global polio eradication effort.

2003: Fatwa Declares Polio Vaccine Causes Sterility

In 2003, a fatwa was issued in northern Nigeria declaring that the polio vaccine was designed to render children sterile. This led to the reappearance of polio in Nigeria and its spread to other countries.

2008: Addition of Organizations to the Polio Hall of Fame

In 2008, four organizations (Rotary International, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and UNICEF) were added to the Polio Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant contributions to polio eradication efforts.

2010: Wild Poliovirus Discovery in 13 Countries

In 2010, wild poliovirus was discovered through importation in 13 different countries: Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Mali, Nepal, Niger, the Russian Federation, Senegal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uganda.

September 2011: Polio Outbreak in China

In September 2011, despite eradication ten years earlier, an outbreak was confirmed in China, involving a strain common in Pakistan.

2011: Polio Cases in Afghanistan During 2011

During 2011, Afghanistan reported 80 cases of polio across 35 districts.

2011: Development of Improved Oral Vaccine Began in 2011

In 2011, development began for an improved oral vaccine (Novel oral polio vaccine type 2 - nOPV2).

2011: Eradication of Rinderpest

In 2011, rinderpest was declared eradicated, further showcasing the potential for eradicating diseases globally.

2011: CIA Fake Vaccination Clinic in Pakistan

In 2011, the CIA ran a fake hepatitis vaccination clinic in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in an attempt to locate Osama bin Laden, which significantly damaged trust in vaccination programs.

April 2012: WHO Declaration on Polio Eradication Failure

In April 2012, the World Health Assembly declared that the failure to completely eradicate polio would be a programmatic emergency for global public health.

2012: Return of Polio in Syria

In Syria, difficulties in executing immunization programs in the ongoing civil war likely led to a return of polio in 2012.

November 2013: Polio Cases Confirmed in Syria

Between October and November 2013, 15 cases of polio were confirmed among children in Syria in Deir Ezzor.

2013: Attack on Polio Health Workers in Kano

In 2013, nine health workers administering polio vaccine were killed in Kano, Nigeria, marking a setback in eradication efforts. Despite this attack, local leaders and polio survivors worked to revive the vaccination campaign.

2013: Attacks on Vaccination Workers

In 2013, there were attacks on vaccination workers, contributing to a total of 66 vaccinators killed between 2013 and 2014, highlighting the dangers faced by healthcare workers in polio-endemic regions.

March 2014: Eradication of Polio in South-East Asia

On March 27, 2014, the WHO announced the eradication of poliomyelitis in the South-East Asia Region, including eleven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

2014: Deaths Among Vaccination Workers

In 2014, deaths among vaccination workers continued, with a total of 66 vaccinators killed between 2013 and 2014, demonstrating the ongoing challenges and risks associated with polio vaccination campaigns.

2014: Decline of Polio Cases in Pakistan

Starting in 2014, polio cases dropped by 97 percent in Pakistan by 2018.

September 2015: Nigeria Removed from Polio-Endemic List

In September 2015, Nigeria was removed from the polio-endemic list after more than a year without any reported cases, marking a significant milestone in the country's fight against the disease.

2015: Polio Remains in Pakistan and Afghanistan

By 2015, polio was believed to remain naturally spreading in only two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan, underscoring the challenges in achieving complete eradication.

2015: Eradication of Wild Poliovirus Type 2

In 2015, wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) was certified as eradicated, marking a significant milestone in global polio eradication efforts.

2016: Polio Reemergence in Nigeria

In 2016, Nigeria was restored to the polio-endemic list after two new cases of polio were detected, reversing progress made in previous years.

2017: Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Cases Outnumber Wild Cases

In 2017, for the first time, cases caused by vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outnumbered wild poliovirus cases, due to wild polio cases hitting record lows.

2018: Support from the United Arab Emirates

By 2018, due to efforts which include 440 million dirham support from the United Arab Emirates to vaccinate more than ten million children, changes in the military situation, and arrests of some of those who attacked polio workers, polio cases dropped by 97 percent since 2014 in Pakistan.

2018: Taliban Ban on Polio Vaccination

In 2018, the Taliban banned house-to-house polio vaccination in Afghanistan, setting back efforts to eliminate polio.

2018: GPEI Efforts to Eliminate Polio

Since 2018, Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has coordinated efforts both to eliminate polio and to research means of improving surveillance and prevention.

September 2019: Polio Outbreak in the Philippines

In September 2019, the Department of Health of the Philippines declared a polio outbreak in the country after a single case in a 3-year-old girl.

December 2019: Polio Confirmed in Malaysia

In December 2019, acute poliomyelitis was confirmed in an infant in Sabah state, Borneo, Malaysia.

2019: Eradication of Wild Poliovirus Type 3

In 2019, wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3) was certified as eradicated, representing a further advancement in the global fight against polio.

January 2020: Additional Polio Cases Reported

In January 2020, a further three polio cases were reported in Malaysia, with the last case reported being found to be linked instances of vaccine-derived poliomyelitis.

August 2020: Africa Declared Free of Wild Polio

In August 2020, Africa was declared free of wild polio, marking a significant achievement in public health. However, cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 continue to appear in several countries.

2021: GPEI Funding

As of 2021, the GPEI had raised 18 billion dollars in funding, with annual contributions around 800 million to 1 billion dollars.

2021: Polio Cases in Afghanistan During 2021

During 2021, Afghanistan reported only 4 cases of polio across 2 districts, a substantial decline from previous years.

2021: Eradication of Polio Types 2 and 3

In 2021, Polio Types 2 and 3 were fully eradicated from every country; however, type 1 cases still remain in Pakistan and Afghanistan, marking a significant step towards complete eradication.

2021: Emergency Licensing of Improved Oral Vaccine

In 2021, the Novel oral polio vaccine type 2 - nOPV2 was granted emergency licensing.

2021: Continued Taliban Ban on Polio Vaccination

In 2021, the Taliban continued to ban house-to-house polio vaccination in Afghanistan, which further hindered polio eradication efforts.

February 2022: Wild Polio Case Detected in Malawi

In February 2022, a single case of wild polio was detected in Malawi. The strain was determined to be imported from Pakistan.

May 2022: Wild Polio Case Detected in Mozambique

In May 2022, another case of wild polio was detected in Mozambique. The strain was imported from Pakistan and did not affect the African region's wild poliovirus-free certification status.

July 2022: Polio Case Reported in New York

In July 2022, the US state of New York reported a polio case for the first time in almost a decade in the country; this was attributed to a vaccine-derived strain of the virus.

2022: High Immunization Coverage in Gaza

In 2022, prior to the Israel-Hamas conflict, routine immunization coverage of eligible children in Gaza exceeded 99%.

2022: Confirmed Polio Cases in 2022

In 2022, there were only 30 confirmed cases of wild polio, confined to just three countries, showcasing the substantial reduction in polio incidence due to vaccination programs.

October 2023: Endemic Countries in October 2023

As of October 2023, only Pakistan and Afghanistan remain endemic for wild poliovirus (WPV), highlighting the significant progress made in global polio eradication efforts.

December 2023: WHO Licensure of Improved Oral Vaccine

In December 2023, an improved oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) with greater genetic stability was granted full licensure and prequalification by the World Health Organization.

April 2024: Countries Considered Polio-Free But Not Confirmed

As of April 2024, several countries including Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, and Iran have been considered polio-free, but have not yet been confirmed.

2024: Polio Cases Reported in Gaza

In 2024, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that several children have shown symptoms consistent with polio, with laboratory tests confirming that a 10-month-old child is infected with the virus.

Mentioned in this timeline

Nigeria officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a West...

The United States of America is a federal republic of...

Qatar is a country located on the Qatar Peninsula in...

Saudi Arabia officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia KSA is...

Sudan officially the Republic of the Sudan is a country...

Morocco officially the Kingdom of Morocco is a North African...