4.3.1  Definition, cause and occurrence of polio

Poliomyelitis (usually called polio) is a viral disease that causes paralysis (weakness or inability to use the muscles) of the legs, arms or hands. Polio is caused by three types of viruses, namely, poliovirus types 1, 2 or 3; (note that ‘poliovirus’ is all one word). Many countries agreed in 1988 to try to eradicate polio completely from the world. The Ethiopian government has a plan to eradicate the disease in the near future. As a result of a continuing vaccination programme, polio is fortunately becoming a rare disease in Ethiopia. However, there are sometimes cases among people who come to Ethiopia from neighbouring countries such as Sudan.