India to get polio-free tag from WHO : New Delhi

Almost two years after India was struck off the list of polio-endemic countries, it will soon achieve another feat.

Having successfully completed almost three polio-free years, and if no polio virus is identified till January 2014, India will receive the coveted “polio-free” tag from the World Health Organisation early next year. The last polio case was reported in 2011.

Health ministry officials warn that India runs a grave risk of  importing the polio virus as it is circulating at a higher speed in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as in Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, which saw a resurgence of the wild virus.

To intensify surveillance, the external affairs ministry recently issued a travel advisory for those coming from polio-affected nations, making it mandatory for them to get vaccinated before entering India. There are plans to set up polio vaccination booths at international airports to ensure visitors get duly vaccinated before entering the country.

"We don’t want to leave any stone unturned. We spent Rs 15,000 crores and have reached a stage where we cannot afford to get reinfected," an official said. It is mandatory for adults and children from infected areas to get prior vaccination before coming to India.

The Indian advisory is in line with a recent WHO directive on keeping a strict vigil on the air route. The polio eradication programme in India has so far been well on track as a result of which India achieved a significant feat in 2012 after the WHO struck off India from the list of polio endemic countries, an indication that India has stopped indigenous polio transmission.

The number of polio cases in India saw a steep fall with once case so far in 2011, 42 cases in 2010 and 741 in 2009. If the progress continues India will be certified polio-free in early February 2014.

“We have a lot at stake. In fact the World has a lot at stake. These are all such countries which remained polio free and this sudden re-infection has taken adults also in its grip. If this comes to India the control will be very difficult as India is a large country and it will affect the threaten the whole polio status,” the official further said.

Source : Deccan Chronicle , 23rd Dec 2013