About polio
Polio is caused by poliovirus. It is a serious disease that can lead to long-term disability, paralysis and death. Most people recover completely, but a small number experience muscle and nerve damage that result in lifelong disability.
Australia has been officially polio-free since 2000. Polio is present in only a few countries in the world.
Case definitions
Prevention
Polio can be prevented with vaccination. In Australia, the polio vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Polio immunisations are available in each Australian state and territory.
Vaccination
Find out more about getting vaccinated against polio.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
For information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, see healthdirect's polio page.
Surveillance and reporting
Polio is a nationally notifiable disease.
We monitor cases through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System and our polio surveillance program.
For more on polio in Australia, you can search Communicable Diseases Intelligence.