poliovirus

[poh-lee-oh-vahy-ruhs, poh-lee-oh-vahy-]

noun

plural

polioviruses 

1. any of three picornaviruses of the genus Enterovirus, having a spherical capsid, infectious to humans and the cause of poliomyelitis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of poliovirus¹

First recorded in 1950–55; polio + virus

Example Sentences

The disease is caused by the poliovirus, which spreads through contact with an infected person's faeces or droplets when they cough and sneeze.

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“Every paralytic polio case means there are hundreds of children who are silently affected by poliovirus and are potentially carrying and spreading it throughout their communities,” she added.

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There have also been outbreaks of poliovirus variants - strains related to the oral vaccine - in more than 30 countries around the world, particularly in areas where immunisation rates are low.

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"The nOPV2 vaccine is expected to effectively interrupt poliovirus transmission and thus markedly reduce the risk of seeding further polio outbreaks," Medford said.

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In recent weeks, traces of the poliovirus - which is spread through faecal matter - have been detected in sewage samples collected in the southern city of Khan Younis and central town of Deir al-Balah.

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