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| - Last Updated on January 15, 2025 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A social media post claims that polio spreads through faecal matter only. We did the fact check and termed this claim as false.
The Claim
According to a post on Threads, “Polio is transmissible only from faecal matter entering facial orifices.”
Fact Check
Is polio transmissible only through faecal matter?
No, polio is not spread only through faecal matter. The virus mainly spreads through the faecal-oral route, meaning it often passes from faecal matter to a person’s mouth. However, polio can also spread through saliva, like when an infected person coughs or sneezes, though this is less common. Contaminated food, water, or surfaces can also carry the virus, making its spread broader than just contact with faecal matter.
We spoke with Dr Ubaid ur Rahman, General Physician at Holy Mission Clinic in New Delhi, for his expert opinion on the transmission of polio virus. He says, “Polio is not spread only through faecal matter. While it primarily spreads through the faecal-oral route, it can also be passed through saliva in rare cases, like when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This is why good hygiene, clean water, and vaccination are so important to protect against the virus.”
Does the virus require “facial orifices” to infect someone?
No, polio does not specifically need “facial orifices” to infect a person. The virus enters the body through the mouth, which happens when someone eats contaminated food, drinks unclean water, or touches a surface with the virus and then puts their hands in their mouth. While the mouth is a facial orifice, the claim is misleading because it implies the virus needs other facial openings like the nose, eyes, or ears to spread, which is not true. Polio spreads through ingestion, not through contact with other facial areas.
How does polio spread in communities?
Polio spreads in places with poor sanitation and hygiene. In areas with poor sanitation, faecal matter from infected individuals can contaminate water supplies. People who drink or come into contact with this water are at risk. Polio thrives where handwashing, clean drinking water, and proper sewage disposal are lacking. Even tiny amounts of faecal matter on hands, food, or surfaces can spread the virus.
Why is this claim harmful?
This claim makes polio seem less serious than it really is and can harm public health efforts. Misinformation like this can stop people from understanding the importance of vaccinations, making them less likely to protect themselves and their communities. It also creates confusion about how polio spreads, which puts communities—especially those with low vaccination rates—at risk of outbreaks.
Adding to the confusion, some social media posts falsely claim that stopping the use of DDT caused polio cases to drop. However, this is not true. The decline and eventual eradication of polio in India were the result of strong public health initiatives, especially widespread vaccination programmes.
What is the best way to prevent polio?
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent polio. Polio vaccines have played a major role in nearly wiping out the disease worldwide. In fact, India has even been declared polio-free, a huge achievement in public health. However, some misinformation still circulates, falsely claiming that polio exists under different names.
There are two types of vaccines: the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Both are very effective in protecting individuals and communities from the virus. Along with vaccination, practising good hygiene—like washing hands regularly and drinking safe, clean water—also helps stop the spread of polio.
We checked with Dr Almas Fatma, MBBS, Diploma in Family Medicine, PG in Digital Health, and General Physician from Navi Mumbai, for her expertise on the best way to prevent polio. She states, “The best way to protect yourself and your family from polio is through vaccination. Polio vaccines are safe, effective, and have been key in nearly eradicating the disease worldwide. Along with vaccination, practising good hygiene—like washing your hands regularly and drinking clean water—helps reduce the risk of infection. Prevention is always better than cure, especially with a disease like polio.”
THIP Media Take
The claim that polio spreads through faecal matter only is false. Polio mainly spreads when faecal matter contaminates the mouth, but it can also spread through saliva, like when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This misinformation can confuse people about how polio spreads and prevent them from taking proper precautions. Vaccination, along with good hygiene practices like using clean water and washing hands regularly, is the best way to protect against polio.
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