Division of Public Health Services  Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control   REVISED –January 2018 
POLIOMYELITIS (Polio) 
 
Poliomyelitis is caused by a virus.  Polio typically 
produces weakening of the muscles, sometimes to 
the point of requiring assistance to move about.  
The illness ranges widely in severity. 
 
Who gets this disease? 
Today, polio case s occur mainly among 
unimmunized young children or among members 
of groups that refuse immunization. 
 
How is it spread? 
The virus is spread by direct contact with infected 
stool and throat secretions.  Infected persons are 
most contagious during 7-10 days before and after 
onset of symptoms. 
 
What are the symptoms? 
The illness ranges in severity from a mild, 
unnoticed febrile illness to meningitis (an 
inflammation of the covering of the brain and 
spinal cord), to paralysis and even death. 
 
How can the spread  of this disease be 
prevented? 
Two types of polio vaccine have been available: 
trivalent oral polio vaccine (TOPV) and 
inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).  The national 
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 
(ACIP) recommends four doses of polio vaccine . 
The four dose series should be completed at 2 
months, 4 months, 6- 18 months, and 4- 6 years. 
The vaccine is required  for both childcare and 
school attendance.  
 
Who should be excluded? 
Children and staff should be excluded during the 
acute phase of illness. 
 
 
 
Reportable? 
Yes.  Poliomyelitis (polio) is reportable by New 
Hampshire law to the Division of Public Health 
Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 
(603) 271-4496.