After 14 years, a case of polio has again surfaced in India, which has raised concerns across the country. This case is from a remote village in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, where symptoms of polio have been found in a two-year-old child. This child is being treated at a hospital in Goalpara district of Assam.
India’s polio-free history
India declared itself polio-free in 2014, after the country last recorded a case in 2011. The Indian government had launched massive vaccination campaigns to control the dreaded disease. Polio is a virus that affects children and can cause severe disability. There is no cure for it, so vaccination is the most effective way to prevent this disease.
WHO issued alert
After this new case came to light, the World Health Organization (WHO) has immediately issued an alert. WHO has instructed Indian health officials to remain vigilant and investigate possible cases immediately. Also, WHO has emphasized on taking all necessary steps to prevent the spread of any new case of polio.
Health officials continue investigation
Health officials have taken the matter seriously and have immediately started investigation. Vaccination drive has been intensified in the area and additional polio doses are being given to those children who were not vaccinated earlier. Following the incident, special precautions are being taken in Meghalaya and adjoining areas of Assam to prevent the spread of the virus.
The threat of polio
Polio is a dangerous virus that affects children and can cause severe disability. There is no cure for it, and vaccination is the only way to prevent this disease. India had eradicated polio through decades of hard work and a large-scale vaccination campaign. In such a situation, this new case has once again raised concerns.
Know when its vaccine is given
Polio vaccine is given to children from birth to the age of 5 years. In India, under the polio vaccination program, the child is given polio doses at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks of age. After this, a booster dose is given between the age of 9 months and 1 year. Also, children are regularly vaccinated till the age of 5 years. "pulse polio campaign" Additional doses are given during the immunization period. These doses protect children from polio and strengthen their immunity.
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