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Polio
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious vaccine preventable disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It can strike at any age, but affects mainly children under three (over 50% of all cases). The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine.
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Samples from suspected cases can be refered for testing in the Reference Laboratory in CfI, Health Protection Agency. For more information please see the Reference Laboratory service pages.
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