Office of Communicable Diseases

Polio

Polio is caused by a virus that lives in the throat and intestinal tract. Polio is a very serious disease, which can lead to paralysis or even death. With widespread use of vaccine, the disease has been eliminated from the Americas.

Information on the disease and its prevention
(forwarded to CDC web site).

All healthy children between the ages of six weeks and 18 years should be vaccinated against polio as part of their complete vaccination schedule.

Polio immunization has worked so well that polio has been eliminated from the United States and the rest of North and South America. Travelers to countries with active polio transmission should be vaccinated prior to travel.

What Are the Polio Rates In Rhode Island?

There have been no reported cases of polio in Rhode Island for many years because of excellent childhood immunization rates.

Who can I contact at the Department of Health about Polio?

Call the Office of Communicable Diseases at 401-222-2577.