Home / Health / Before COVID: 1946 Polio Epidemic Ravaged Minnesota
Before COVID: 1946 Polio Epidemic Ravaged Minnesota
7 Sep
Summary
- The 1946 polio outbreak was Minnesota's deadliest epidemic.
- Hospitals overflowed with patients, leading to event cancellations.
- The polio vaccine's introduction marked the beginning of the end.
In 1946, Minnesota faced a severe polio epidemic that significantly disrupted daily life, echoing the fear later experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak infected 2,881 people and caused 226 deaths, making it the deadliest in the state's history, with many survivors left with lifelong paralysis.
Public life ground to a halt as health officials discouraged large gatherings. Swimming pools were emptied, the State Fair was canceled, and school districts postponed classes. Hospitals, particularly the Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis, were overwhelmed with an influx of patients from across the state.
Research into the polio virus was ongoing at the time, with scientists at the University of Minnesota working to understand its transmission. This lack of knowledge fueled public anxiety, especially during the summer months when outbreaks typically intensified.
The introduction of the Salk polio vaccine in 1955 signaled the beginning of the end for polio's terror. By 1956, reported polio cases in Minnesota saw a significant drop, bringing relief to parents and communities who had lived in constant fear during previous epidemic summers.
