Polio is an infection caused by a virus. Polio causes fever, vomiting and muscle stiffness.
It's very rare today because vaccines can prevent the spread of polio.
Polio in Ireland
The chances of getting polio in Ireland are very small.
Vaccination for polio started in 1957. The last recorded case of wild polio in Ireland was in 1984. Polio was eradicated in Europe in 2003.
But the infection is still found in other parts of the world. This means there is a very small risk that polio could be brought back to Ireland through travel.
There's no cure for polio. It's important that you and your children get vaccinated against it.
What we mean by wild polio
Cases of polio used to be caused by a virus called wild poliovirus (WPV). There are very few places in the world where wild polio is still found.
Most cases now are caused by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPVs).
These cases usually only happen in places:
- with low vaccination rates
- where the oral polio vaccine is used - this contains a live attenuated (weakened) virus
- with low-quality sanitation
cVDPV is not a risk in Ireland. This is because most people here get vaccinated against polio and we do not use the oral polio vaccine any more. The vaccine we use today contains an inactive version of the virus.
Polio vaccine
The polio vaccine is free as part of the childhood vaccination programme in Ireland. It's given by injection in 4 separate doses.
The doses are usually given at ages:
- 2, 4 and 6 months as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine
- 4 to 5 years as part of the 4-in-1 vaccine
You can get vaccinated at any time if you:
- never got the vaccine
- did not get all of your vaccine doses
- had polio in the past
There are 3 types of poliovirus. If you had the infection before, you are only immune to 1 type.
Check before you travel
Before you travel, check if there's a risk of polio in the country that you plan to visit.
Polio dashboard - ecdc.europa.eu
If there is a risk, ask your GP or private travel clinic about protection against polio. You may need to get a booster dose if your last dose of the vaccine was over 10 years ago.
You may need proof of polio vaccination to enter or leave some countries.
Overseas travel advice - Ireland.ie
How polio is spread
Polio is caused by a virus.
You can become infected with the poliovirus if you come into contact with:
- the poo of someone with the infection
- food or water that is contaminated with infected poo
- droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes - this is rare
Infected people can start to spread the virus about a week before any symptoms show. They can spread the virus for several weeks. Infected people who do not have any symptoms can still pass on polio to others.
Symptoms of polio
Most people with polio do not have any symptoms.
Some people experience symptoms similar to the flu for 3 to 21 days after infection.
Symptoms can include:
- a fever (high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above)
- a sore throat
- a headache
- tummy pain
- aching muscles
- feeling and being sick
These symptoms usually pass within a week.
In rare cases, more serious symptoms develop.
Severe symptoms include:
- meningitis
- paralysis - when you cannot move your muscles, usually in the legs
Movement often slowly returns over weeks and months. But if your breathing muscles are affected, polio can be life-threatening.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 or go your nearest emergency department (ED)
if you or your child:
- cannot move part or all of your body - the body part may feel stiff, floppy or numb
- have problems breathing
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if
you or your child have flu-like symptoms and you:
- you're worried about your child's symptoms
- you're age 65 or older
- you're pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition - for example, diabetes or a heart, lung, kidney or neurological disease
- you have a weakened immune system - for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- your symptoms do not improve after 7 days
Treating polio
There's no cure for polio. Treatment can reduce the risk of long-term problems while the body fights the infection.
Treatment can include:
- bed rest in a hospital
- painkillers
- breathing support
Regular stretches or exercises can prevent problems with the muscles and joints.
Long-term problems caused by polio
Polio can sometimes cause long-term or permanent difficulties.
A few people with the infection can have some permanent paralysis. Others may have problems that need long-term treatment and support.
These problems can include:
- muscle weakness
- atrophy (shrinking of the muscles)
- contractures (tight joints)
- deformities, such as twisted feet or legs
Long-term treatment can include:
- physiotherapy to help with any movement problems
- devices such as splints and braces to support weak limbs or joints
- occupational therapy to help you adapt to any difficulties
- surgery to correct any deformities
Some people who had polio can get symptoms again or their existing symptoms can get worse. This can happen many decades after the infection. This is called post-polio syndrome and is very rare.
Support for polio
Polio Survivors Ireland provides information and support services for survivors of polio.
Phone: 01 889 8920
Email: info@polio.ie
Website: polio.ie
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
