New case of polio reported in India

Why in news?

• A case of polio has again been reported in polio-free India, which has raised concerns across the country.

Key points

• This new case of polio in India has come from the West Garo Hills region of Meghalaya in a 2-year-old child. High alert has been issued in this area so that the infection does not spread.
• Health Ministry officials said that this case is related to vaccine-borne polio infection, there is no need to worry about it.
• WHO has also issued an alert on this matter and has instructed Indian health officials to immediately investigate possible cases.

Polio

• It is a fatal viral infectious disease.
• It is a disease caused by the polio virus.
• It affects the nervous system.
• It causes muscle weakness, paralysis and other symptoms.
• It affects children.
• There is no effective treatment for it yet.
• Vaccination is the only way to prevent it.

Polio Vaccine in India

• Polio vaccine is given to children from birth to the age of 5 years.
• In India, polio doses are given to the child at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks of age. After this, booster doses are given between the ages of 9 months to 1 year.
• Children are regularly given additional doses during the “Pulse Polio Campaign” until the age of 5 years.

Polio-free history of India

• India declared itself polio-free in 2014.
• The last case of polio was reported in the country in 2011.
• This was the success of the massive vaccination drive by the Indian government.

Vaccine-borne polio infection

• Vaccine is nothing but a form of the polio virus.
• A part of this virus develops the ability to fight other polio viruses.
• The vaccine can trigger the disease in children who have a weak immune system; however this is rare.