World Polio Day 2025: The final battle against a crippling foe

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is one of the most dreaded diseases in human history, a viral illness that once struck terror into families across continents. Caused by the poliovirus, it primarily affects young children, attacking the nervous system and leading, in severe cases, to permanent paralysis or death. For most of the 20th century, images of children in iron lungs or walking with leg braces symbolized the devastating reach of the disease. But the story of polio is also one of scientific triumph, international solidarity, and the power of prevention.

What is Polio?

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted mainly through the fecal–oral route, usually by contaminated water or food. The virus multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system.

There are three strains of the virus - Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.

Type 2 was declared eradicated in 2015, Type 3 in 2019, leaving only wild poliovirus Type 1 still circulating, mainly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 1 out of every 200 infections, the virus destroys nerve cells, leading to irreversible paralysis, usually in the legs. Among those paralyzed, 5–10% die when breathing muscles become immobilized.

A brief history of polio

Ancient Times: Evidence of polio dates back to Egyptian hieroglyphs depicting people with withered limbs.

19th & Early 20th Century: Major outbreaks occurred across Europe and North America, especially in the early 1900s.

1950s: The disease reached epidemic proportions in the United States, crippling tens of thousands every year.

1955: A turning point Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

1961: Dr. Albert Sabin introduced the oral polio vaccine (OPV), easier to administer and ideal for mass immunization.

1988: The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched, led by WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and the CDC. At that time, polio paralyzed more than 350,000 children annually in over 125 countries.

Today, the world has reduced that number by over 99%, thanks to sustained global effort and community health mobilization.

Impact on humanity

In the Past: Polio outbreaks caused immense fear. Entire towns would close public pools, theaters, and schools. The physical, psychological, and economic costs were enormous. Parents lived in dread every summer when the virus spread most aggressively.

In the Present: Humanity stands at the threshold of victory. Most of the world including India, which was declared polio-free in 2014 has successfully interrupted transmission. Yet, challenges remain in conflict zones, border regions, and areas with weak health infrastructure.

The legacy of the polio fight, however, goes beyond the disease. The infrastructure built for polio surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and cold-chain logistics now supports broader public health goals including COVID-19 vaccination drives and disease outbreak monitoring.

The story of Polio in India: From despair to global example

India’s battle against polio is one of the greatest public health success stories in modern history. In the early 1990s, India accounted for nearly 60% of the world’s polio cases, with thousands of children paralyzed each year. The challenge was immense vast population, poor sanitation, and limited healthcare infrastructure made eradication seem almost impossible. Yet, through relentless national campaigns like “Pulse Polio” launched in 1995, the country mobilized millions of health workers, volunteers, and local leaders to reach every child, even in the most remote villages. The campaign’s slogan “Do Boond Zindagi Ki” (Two Drops of Life) became a household phrase symbolizing hope and collective action.

Every year, the government conducted National Immunization Days, when over 170 million children were vaccinated in a single day. International support from WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and the CDC played a vital role in surveillance and logistics. Continuous door-to-door campaigns ensured that no child was missed, even in high-risk areas such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which once reported the highest number of cases.

The result was historic: India reported its last case of wild poliovirus in January 2011, and in March 2014, the World Health Organization officially declared India polio-free. Today, India continues to maintain vigilant surveillance and periodic immunization drives to prevent re-entry of the virus from neighboring regions. India’s experience has become a global model for large-scale vaccination success, demonstrating how political will, community participation, and international collaboration can together defeat even the most persistent diseases.

Prevention and cure

Polio has no cure, only prevention and that prevention is extremely effective.

There are two main vaccines:

Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) - given by injection, developed by Dr. Salk; provides excellent individual protection.

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) - developed by Dr. Sabin; easy to administer and provides community-wide “herd immunity.”

Routine immunization and periodic National Immunization Days (Pulse Polio campaigns) have been instrumental in halting transmission. India’s “Do Boond Zindagi Ki” campaign remains one of the world’s most successful public health drives, reaching millions of children through door-to-door efforts by health workers and volunteers.

Complications and Long-Term effects

While most infections cause no symptoms, those who develop paralysis face lifelong disability.

Common complications include: Permanent muscle weakness or deformity, Difficulty in breathing or swallowing, Post-polio syndrome - fatigue, muscle pain, and weakness appearing decades after recovery. For survivors, rehabilitation - through physiotherapy, braces, and psychological support becomes a lifelong process.

Challenges that remain

Despite remarkable progress, the “last 1%” of cases has proven the hardest to eliminate.

Persistent obstacles include:

• Inaccessible or conflict-ridden areas (e.g., Afghanistan, Pakistan),

• Vaccine hesitancy due to misinformation,

• Political instability and attacks on health workers,

• Gaps in routine immunization systems.

Moreover, vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV), a rare mutation from the oral vaccine strain poses new risks, especially in under-immunized populations. This is being tackled through a new, safer novel OPV2 vaccine.

Building a Polio-Free future: The road ahead

To make the world truly polio-free, the following steps are crucial:

Sustain Immunization: Every child must continue receiving polio drops until complete global eradication is certified.

Strengthen Health Systems: Robust disease surveillance and cold-chain systems must be maintained and expanded.

Combat Misinformation: Community leaders, teachers, and local influencers must promote vaccine trust.

Support Health Workers: They are the backbone of eradication campaigns and must be given safety, respect, and fair pay.

Global Solidarity: Continued international funding and political commitment are vital to finish the job.

Conclusion: Humanity at the threshold of victory

World Polio Day is more than a commemoration; it is a reminder of what human determination can achieve. From fear to hope, from paralysis to prevention, the journey of polio eradication mirrors the triumph of science and collective will. As the world stands inches away from eradicating polio forever, it bears repeating: “Until every child, everywhere, is protected, no one is safe.” Let this World Polio Day renew our resolve to deliver those final two drops that could end one of humanity’s oldest enemies.