India on its way to eradicate Polio by 2012

India is on its way to eradicate polio by 2012. According to the research published in the 4th November issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report the absence of polio cases during the high-transmission season indicates that India has almost interrupted the wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission .

As compared to the 50,000 cases which were reported in 1995 when the eradication measures began, India has reported just 1 case of poliomyelitis in this year (till 31st October, 2011). If no cases are reported throughout the high transmission period in 2012 then India will be considered polio-free. However, India is still at risk of importing the virus from neighboring countries like Pakistan.

Poliomyelitis - About
Polio is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It results in paralysis and generally affects people of all age groups, children being more susceptible

Significant improvements in polio immunization program like high vaccination coverage in all states especially among children in high-risk endemic areas and migrant populations, the introduction of bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) and rapid response to outbreaks in new areas have contributed in stopping this transmission.

Source-Medindia

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