Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under five years old. It is caused by the poliovirus, which can invade the nervous system and lead to paralysis. The virus spreads through contaminated food and water or direct contact with an infected person. Vaccination has been key in reducing polio cases worldwide. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) are effective in preventing the disease. Global efforts, including the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, aim to eliminate polio, making it a rare disease in many parts of the world.