Polio Photos
WARNING: Some of these photos might be unsuitable for children. Viewing discretion is advised.
These photos are from CDC’s Public Health Image Library.
CDC Poliovirus Laboratory
Photo ID# 22912
Scientist using a robotic plate stacker to collect data from the stained serology plates to measure the polio antibodies in blood.
Photo ID# 22910
CDC scientist extracting viral RNA from samples of poliovirus genetic material for molecular testing.
Photo ID#22908
CDC scientist using a sequencing instrument, a Sanger sequencer, to determine the genetic makeup of the isolated poliovirus.
Photo ID# 22907
CDC scientist preparing samples for next generation sequencing during the poliovirus testing process.
Photo ID#22906
CDC scientist working with samples to be tested using a real-time PCR machine called a thermocycler to identify the various types of poliovirus.
Photo ID#22899
CDC scientist performing a virus plaque assay to determine the amount of virus in the cell culture isolates.
Photo ID# 22895
CDC scientist adding a stool sample to the cell culture medium to test for poliovirus.
Photo ID#22890
CDC scientist concentrating poliovirus from sewage to grow the virus in cultured cells, and then test it using molecular methods.
Effects of Paralytic Poliomyelitis
Photo ID# 5578
A child with a deformity of her right leg caused by poliovirus infection.
A child in Nigeria with lower limbs deformity due to Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP).
Photo ID# 19443
Two polio survivors in Nigeria (photo credit: Paul Chenoweth, 2007)
A few examples from public health professionals and from the Immunization Action Coalition

A child in Nigeria with a leg partly paralyzed from polio (Photo by Stacie Dunkle, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

A young girl in Chad with leg braces following poliomyelitis, (Photo by Minal Patel, STOP volunteer)

Boys with leg deformities following polio.

Courtesy of World Health Organization

The wild poliovirus usually paralyzes children under 5 years old.
Related Resources
- CDC Polio Lab Video 2019: CDC Scientists engaged in various tests and procedures related to polio.