In many countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, where pre ventive vaccination is far from universal, the incidence of poliomyelitis is rising, and large outbreaks are being reported.1 In contrast, in the U. S. A., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the incidence has been falling steeply and progressively. In comparison with the years 1951-1955, the reduction by 1968 in these "developed" countries was 700-fold. The total number of reported cases in 1968 in all these countries together was only 62,1 and immunization cam paigns must be given the credit for reducing this morbidity and mortality.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Cockburn, W.C. and Drozdov, S.G.: Poliomyelitis in the world. WHO Bulletin42: 405, 1970.
2.
Leedon, J.M. , Graham, A.C. and Byer, M.A.: 1963epidemic of poliomyelitis in Barbados. West Indies Public Health. Rep.80: 423, 1965.
3.
Giovanardi, A.: Effect of Sabin poliovirus vaccine on incidence of poliomyelitis in Italy. JAMA209: 525, 1969 .
4.
Hofman, B.: Poliomyelitis in the Netherlands before and after vaccination with inactivated poliovaccineJ. Hyg.65: 547, 1967.
5.
Alumanayagam, P. and Mendis, N.M.P.: Outbreak of poliomyelitis in Ceylon in 1962. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg.14: 440, 1965.
6.
Bada, J.L.: Poliomyelitis in Monrovia (years 1964— 67). J. Trop. Med. Hyg.71: 212, 1968.
7.
Anes, W.R., Variations in the age selection of poliomyelitis associated with differences in economic status in Buffalo, N. Y. 1929, 1939, 1944, and 1949. Am. J. Public Health41: 288, 1951.
8.
Weir, I.B.L. , Jamieson, W.M. and Green, D.M.: Poliomyelitis in Dundee 1962. Br. Med. J.2: 853, 1964.
