poliovirus

noun

po·​lio·​vi·​rus ˈpō-lē-(ˌ)ō-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce poliovirus (audio)
variants or less commonly polio virus
: an enterovirus (species Poliovirus) occurring in three distinct serotypes that cause polio

Note: The poliovirus is typically transmitted orally by food, drink, or hands that are contaminated with infected fecal matter. The virus may sometimes be transmitted by the respiratory droplets or saliva of an infected individual. The poliovirus multiplies in the intestinal tract and sometimes spreads in the bloodstream throughout the body.

Examples of poliovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Read More: Modified Self-Amplifying RNA Provides Opportunities For New Vaccines And Treatments Why Is A Single Case A Problem? Polio vaccines given as oral droplets use weakened live viruses to impart immunity to one of three polioviruses that cause polio. Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024 The vaccination program was prompted after the World Health Organization confirmed on Aug. 23 that at least one baby has been paralyzed by the type 2 poliovirus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2024 One version of the polio vaccine works by exposing people to a live but weakened form of the poliovirus. Abdallah Fayyad, Vox, 1 Sep. 2024 Traces of poliovirus were found in a 10-month-old child in the central Gazan city of Deir al-Balah, the health ministry said in a statement late Friday, adding that the baby had not received any polio jabs. Kareem El Damanhoury, CNN, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for poliovirus 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'poliovirus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

polio- (in poliomyelitis) + virus, later taken as New Latin

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poliovirus was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near poliovirus

Cite this Entry

“Poliovirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poliovirus. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.

Medical Definition

poliovirus

noun
po·​lio·​vi·​rus ˈpō-lē-(ˌ)ō-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce poliovirus (audio)
variants also polio virus
: a picornavirus of the genus Enterovirus (species Poliovirus) that occurs in three distinct serotypes that cause polio

Note: The poliovirus is typically transmitted orally by food, drink, or hands that are contaminated with infected fecal matter. The virus may sometimes be transmitted by the respiratory droplets or saliva of an infected individual. The poliovirus multiplies in the intestinal tract and sometimes spreads in the bloodstream throughout the body.

A distinctive characteristic of acute polio infection is the predilection of the poliovirus for the nerve cells that control muscles.Lauro S. Halstead, Scientific American

More from Merriam-Webster on poliovirus

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