No new polio cases in India since April

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NEW DELHI - Stepping closer to eradication of polio, India, on the list of endemic countries, has not registered any new case of the viral disease since April-end.

The last case recorded in the country was on April 29 from West Bengal, a World Health Organisation statement said.

“The case was reported from Murshidabad district of West Bengal April 29. Officers were sent for investigation and large scale exercises are already underway to prevent more cases,” an official from the health ministry said.

A large-scale mop-up was held in West Bengal, with a vaccination drive June 13.

“A further mop-up will be held from July 11, with extensive technical support relocated to the area to support the campaigns,” the WHO statement said, commending the Indian government for its swift action.

Three Indian states - West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh - are among the endemic states for polio. However, in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, no new cases have been reported in more than six months.

Uttar Pradesh recorded its most recent case in Moradabad Nov 13, 2009, while Bihar’s most recent case was in Lakhisarai Oct 29, 2009. The total number of cases in India for 2010 remain 21, compared to 67 during the corresponding period of last year. India has also recorded its first month - March - without a single polio case in more than a decade.

This is the longest period in history for these states without reporting a case of polio.

India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan are the four countries where polio is still endemic. Of these, Pakistan now has the highest number of polio cases.

WHO’s concerns have, however, risen with report of a polio case from Tajikistan, the virus strand of which is reported to be similar to that found in India.

“It shows they (Tajikistan) need better protection plan. You can never say when the virus re-attacks, so immunisation process should continue even after cases stop coming up,” an official said.

Tajikistan was declared polio free in 1997. However, over 239 cases of polio have been reported from the country in 2010.