-
First Recorded Outbreak of Polio in the US
-
Polio cases Rapidly Increase
There is a large outbreak of polio in the United States. Though the total number of affected individuals is unknown, over 9000 cases are reported in New York City alone. Attempts at controlling the disease largely involve the use of isolation and quarantine, neither of which is successful. -
President Franklin Roosevelt Obtains Polio
At the age of 39 Franklin D. Roosevelt contracts polio during a vacation in Canada and is later left with severe paralysis. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt Becomes President of USA
FDR was the first president to ever have to use a wheelchair in the white house. However he was able to sucessfully hide his disablity from the public. -
March of Dimes is Created
This fondation was how Jonas Salk and his team aqquired money in order to do their research and tests. This foundation is still around today. -
End of World War 2
World War 2 ends. Large epidemics of polio in the U.S.occur immediatly after the war with an average of more than 20,000 casesa yearfrom 1945 to 1949. -
First Polio Vaccine Approved for Public Use
The first polio vaccine pioneered by Dr. Jonas Salk using killed polioviruses was licensed for public use. -
The Cutter Incident
THe first reported case of paralytic polio in vaccinated people were eventually traced to vaccines produced by Cutter Labratories. -
Last Polio Case in America
Last case of polio is cured. -
Getting Rid of the Disease
Approximately 350,000 cases of polio still worldwide, the World Health Organization passes a resolution todiminish the disease by the year 2000. -
Bringing the Disease to a Halt
By this time there were only about 100,000 polio cases left. Most of these cases take place in Asia and Africa. -
Gone Forever?
From 2000 and beyond polio has become more rare however war, poverty, and natural disasters prevent the extinction of the disease.
