[Poliomyelitis in the German Federal Republic 1974-1975 (author's transl)]
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Abstract:
The virological surveillance of poliomyelitis in 1974-1975 led to the detection of specific characteristics of wild viruses in 57 out of 221 cases of poliovirus isolation. The disease symptoms were typical for poliomyelitis in 36 of these cases, less characteristic in 13. Polio wildvirus was isolated 8 times from the surroundings of the patients. In 36 foreign patients and one German the causative agent was imported from an endemic area. In these cases and in a further 7 German patients the disease was sporadic. In contrast 5 cases in German children in late autumn 1975 constitute a local epidemic of poliomyelitis.
Insights
Virological surveillance in 1974-1975 identified wild polioviruses in 57 cases. Imported wild poliovirus caused sporadic cases, while a local epidemic involved 5 German children.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Poliomyelitis surveillance in 1974-1975.
- Analysis of 221 poliovirus isolations.
Purpose:
- To characterize wild poliovirus strains detected during surveillance.
- To differentiate between imported and local polio cases.
Summary:
- Wild poliovirus was identified in 57 of 221 isolations.
- 36 cases showed typical poliomyelitis symptoms; 13 were less characteristic.
- Wild poliovirus was detected in patients' environments.
- Imported wild poliovirus was confirmed in 37 cases (36 foreign, 1 German).
- Sporadic cases included the 37 imported cases plus 7 additional German patients.
- A local epidemic of poliomyelitis occurred in 5 German children in late 1975.
Impact:
- Highlights the presence and characteristics of wild poliovirus.
- Differentiates between imported and local transmission events.
- Identifies a localized polio epidemic in Germany.