June 08: The whole polio eradication process has got a boost with the recent number of cases that have witnessed a sharp decline since last year. Towards the end of the year 2006, there were around 672 new cases reported, out of which 545 cases were from the Uttar Pradesh state only. But recent report shows that only 60 cases are reported so far including 36 from UP and 15 from Bihar.
In the year 2005 there were only 66 cases reported but in 2006 it increased to 672, which gave health officials quite a shock. There was tremendous international pressure and World Health Organization urged the Indian government to take all necessary steps. Since then and within 6 months period the government has been focusing on Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that usually register the highest number of cases every year.
The health officials used the single strained vaccine, most effective against P1 virus. But this time they utilized a more effective one with three times more immunity power and furbished to the whole UP and Bihar state with proper planning. It is due to this reason that there is no registered case of P1 virus victim.
India is among the five countries with highest number of polio cases after Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia.
Currently the Oral Polio Vaccine OPV, is being used everywhere and health officials have confirmed that there is no plan to use inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The injectable IPV is bit more expensive and also there are not enough manufacturers to provide the same, as said by Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.
Health officials are now focusing on every nook and corner of Uttar Pradesh for better immunization without leaving a single child. The health departments are busy wrapping up all sensitive areas in the coming vaccine time in the month of June, August and September.
Polio has a bigger impact in economic growth of a country as it involves a lot amount of money and time only in checking. WHO is also worried as it may spread to countries which are now polio free. Even in the ongoing G8 summit, Polio is a part of the discussions.
Keeping in mind its global impact, the health ministry has estimated an amount of Rs 1300 crore for the polio eradication this year. This is the highest amount allocated for any disease.
In India, apart from a huge expenditure on eradication programme, it can hurt Indian economy in other way if a travel advisory is imposed on it by the World Health Assembly WHA. According to this directive anyone travelling to and from India should have compulsory vaccination. Though India was able to avoid the travel advisory decided by the last WHA at Geneva but it can be imposed if India fails to check the sinister disease. However, health department is confident to eradicate polio completely by the end of 2008.
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