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Polio On this page Polio is an ancient scourge that became vaccine-preventable in the 1950's. Transmission of wild-virus polio stopped in the Western hemisphere from July 1991 to July 12, 2000, when the disease erupted again in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, places where coverage with three doses of oral polio vaccine was low. When symptomatic, polio causes paralysis of the muscles. Most people never completely recover. Luckily, however, up to 95% of all polio infections occur without symptoms. Infected persons without symptoms shed viruses in the stool, and are thus able to spread the virus to others. Childhood immunization is recommended.
Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of polio to local health departments within 24 hours of identification. On weekends and holidays, call 971-673-1111 to reach the state health department doctor on call. Disease reporting form for health-care practitioners (PDF 42K) Go to our disease reporting page for information on how to report and for telephone numbers of local health departments. For county health departments: For reportable diseases lacking Oregon-specific investigative guidelines or case report forms, please contact the epidemiologist on call for assistance. Return to top |
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