The poliovirus enters the human body through

a. Mosquito bite

b. Tick bite

c. Saliva and secretions from the nose

d. Contaminated food and water

 

The correct answer is d. Contaminated food and water.

1. What is Poliovirus?
   • Poliovirus is the causative agent of poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio. It is a highly infectious virus that primarily affects young children, often leading to paralysis or even death in severe cases.
2. How Does Poliovirus Enter the Human Body?
   • Poliovirus enters the human body mainly through fecal-oral transmission, meaning it spreads through contact with contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
   • When an infected person’s feces (containing the virus) comes in contact with food, water, or hands, the virus can enter another person’s body, typically through the mouth.
   • Contaminated water (especially in areas with poor sanitation) and uncooked or contaminated food are common sources of poliovirus transmission.
3. Transmission Process:
   • After ingestion, the virus travels to the intestines, where it multiplies. From there, it can enter the bloodstream and sometimes affect the nervous system, particularly the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and, in severe cases, death.
4. Incorrect Options Explained:
   • a. Mosquito Bite: Mosquitoes are not involved in the transmission of poliovirus. Mosquitoes spread diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika, but not polio.
   • b. Tick Bite: Similar to mosquitoes, ticks transmit diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but not poliovirus.
   • c. Saliva and Secretions from the Nose: While poliovirus can be found in the throat and nose secretions, the primary mode of transmission is through fecal contamination of food and water, not through saliva or nasal secretions.

• Polio Vaccination: The best method to prevent polio is vaccination. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) are both used to provide immunity against the virus.
   
• Global Efforts: Thanks to extensive vaccination campaigns, polio has been eliminated in most parts of the world. However, some countries still face challenges in controlling the disease due to lack of access to vaccines and poor sanitation.

Poliovirus is a preventable disease, and the key to controlling its spread lies in ensuring access to clean drinking water, proper sanitation, and widespread vaccination programs.