Poliomyelitis has existed for thousands of years, with depictions of the disease in ancient art. The disease was first recognized as a distinct condition by the English physician Michael Underwood in 1789, and the virus that causes it was first identified in 1909 by the Austrian immunologist Karl Landsteiner. Major outbreaks started to occur in the late 19th century in Europe and the United States, and in the 20th century, it became one of the most worrying childhood diseases. Following the introduction of polio vaccines in the 1950s, polio incidence declined rapidly. , only Pakistan and Afghanistan remain endemic for wild poliovirus (WPV).
pOLIOmYElitIS Has ExIsTed for ThOusands OF YEarS, witH dEPictions oF The dIsEASe In ancIeNt ArT. the diseASe was FIRst recoGNIzed As a dIstiNCt ConditioN by ThE engliSh pHySicIan michaEl underwOod in 1789, aNd The vIRuS tHat CAUsES iT wAS fIrST ideNtiFied in 1909 by tHE austrIaN immUnologist kArl laNdstEiner. MajoR oUtbreaks StArTEd to occUR In THe lAte 19th CeNtury iN euRope and THe unitED states, and IN tHE 20TH centurY, It BecAmE onE oF the MoSt wOrryING ChIldhOod DIseAses. follOwinG thE intrOdUction of pOlIO vaccines in thE 1950s, Polio iNcIdEnce dEcliNed rapIDLy. , oNly pAkisTan aNd AFgHanistan rEmain endemIc for wILD poliovirus (wpV).