In the late 1940s, polio caused what level of global impact?

• A. Thousands were crippled or killed each year
• B. Only a few cases
• C. No fatalities
• D. Millions affected

Answer: (A)

Polio in the late 1940s caused thousands of people to be crippled or killed each year. Poliovirus infection can lead to acute paralysis by damaging motor neurons, and during that era outbreaks spread widely in many countries, placing a heavy burden on families and health systems. This scale—thousands affected annually with cases of paralysis and fatalities—fits the description of a large, but not global-millions, impact. The drastic drop in numbers came later with the development of vaccines in the 1950s, which dramatically reduced polio incidence and severe outcomes.