India is all set to complete two years without any case of polio on January 13, 2013. While it was struck off the list of polio endemic countries last year by the World Health Organisation (WHO), this will be another milestone for India. Experts say that this year is crucial for India, as if it continues to be without polio case till January 2014, India will be regarded as polio-free.
“If India does not report any case of polio through out year, it will be certified as polio free as early as 2014 by the WHO. We have maintained best quality rounds and we hope to continue them with the same wave length,” said a senior official in the health ministry.
Despite the absence of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) cases in India since January 2011, experts say-the risk remains for WPV circulation among migrant populations and residents of high-risk areas in western Uttar Pradesh and central Bihar and in migrant populations in other states.
According to an article in Centres for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta. “In West Bengal, families within certain migrant populations continue to have higher proportions of undervaccinated children than families in migrant populations and the general population aged <2 years in other states,” it said.
India is also at risk for WPV importations from other polio-affected areas. Last year polio outbreak was seen in neighbouring China resulting from WPV importation from Pakistan. “This is a reminder of the need for continued vigilance to ensure high population immunity in all states (with specific focus on migrant populations). To be on track and avoid importation, rapid response members have been put on high alert and have been deployed at the border districts. Booths have been set up at Munabao in Rajasthan bordering Pakistan, Bagah border.