The poliomyelitis story: a scientific hegira

There is evidence that paralytic poliomyelitis occurred in ancient times, but it was not recognized as a distinct disease until the eighteenth century and did not come into prominence until the late nineteenth century when epidemics began to appear. Outbreaks of increasing size were reported first in the Scandinavian countries, then in the United States and elsewhere, to the surprise and consternation of the medical profession. Poliovirus was first isolated in 1908, but many years of intensive research were required before the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease were sufficiently understood to allow preventive measures to be devised. The road to eventual success was complicated by controversies, setbacks, and tragedies, played out and influenced by many powerful personalities. Today there are two effective vaccines. The disease has been virtually eliminated in countries where they have been used extensively, yet in the developing areas of the world recent “lameness surveys” indicate that the incidence of paralytic poliomyelitis is as high as it was during the peak years in the United States in the early 1950s. The challenge now is to use the available vaccines to extend control to the developing countries and eventually to achieve elimination of the disease worldwide.