First cases of polio

Polio is caused by a virus that can affect the nervous system. Early illness may include fever, tiredness, sore throat, nausea, headache, muscle aches, or stomach upset. Some infected people have no clear symptoms, while others develop neck or back stiffness and muscle weakness.

Sudden weakness that is greater on one side, difficulty walking, swallowing, or breathing is especially concerning. These signs cannot be diagnosed safely at home and may have causes other than polio, so prompt examination matters.

Contact urgent medical services if new weakness, difficulty swallowing, or breathing develops. Keep the person resting, avoid close contact with vulnerable people, and tell the clinician about recent travel, vaccination history, and possible exposure to an infected person.

Do not delay assessment while waiting for symptoms to become clearer. Health professionals may arrange tests, monitor breathing and movement, and advise on infection-control steps. Check that household vaccination records are up to date with a healthcare team.

Call emergency services for breathing difficulty, choking, inability to swallow, rapidly worsening weakness, collapse, or marked drowsiness. A person with sudden weakness should not drive themselves to care.

Seek same-day medical advice for fever with new muscle weakness, severe headache with neck stiffness, or unexplained difficulty walking. Children with a sudden change in movement need prompt evaluation even if they appear otherwise well.

Ask whether testing or public-health notification is needed, which household contacts require advice, and whether any childhood immunisation doses are due or missing.