In the United States in 1952, how many paralytic polio cases were reported?

• A. 21,000 paralytic cases
• B. 1,000 cases
• C. 5,000 cases
• D. 100,000 cases

Answer: (A)

Understanding the historical burden of paralytic polio in the United States around 1952 is being tested here. Paralytic polio is the form that leads to acute flaccid paralysis and is what public health records emphasize, distinct from milder or asymptomatic infections.

In 1952, the U.S. faced a major polio year. Public health surveillance recorded roughly 57,000 to 58,000 total poliomyelitis cases, and about one third of infections developed into paralytic polio, which is about 21,000 cases. This figure reflects the scale of paralytic disease in that epidemic year, which is why it’s the commonly cited number in historical summaries.

The other options don’t fit the known data: 1,000 and 5,000 are far too low for paralytic cases in such a large outbreak, while 100,000 would exceed the total number of polio cases reported that year.