THE polio epidemics of the 1940s and 1950s are still claiming victims, a conference in Dublin was told at the weekend. Many sufferers who contracted the virus in early childhood have recently been hit by a new condition, Post Polio Syndrome.
Mr Jim Costello, chairman of the Post Polio Support Group, which organised the conference, called on the Government to provide funding to help sufferers cope with the effects of the condition.
"Since our group was established two years ago," said Mr Costello, "we have been shocked to discover that large numbers of sufferers, some of whom are still working, cannot afford the equipment and treatment they require".
Mr Costello added that PostPolio Syndrome could result in immobility and increased dependency for some sufferers.
"The lack of financial assistance compounds the disability and contributes significantly to the stress and hardship endured by sufferers," he said.
It was a disgrace that sufferers, who in general had contributed to the economic life of the State now lacked the support necessary to cope with the disease.
The support group says PostPolio Syndrome is a definite physical condition with a clinical neurological diagnosis, it may cause weakness, fatigue, pain In the muscles and joints, sleep disorder, respiratory and swallowing problems.
The symptoms may occur in about 50-60 per cent of the polio population, 20730 years after the initial infection.