Rise in Number of Polio Cases
	16:17 IST

Lok Sabha The annual strategy for polio eradication is decided on the basis of the recommendation of the Indian Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) consisting of National experts and International experts from World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF), Centre for Diseases Control (CDC) Atlanta.  The IEAG reviews the polio epidemiological situation two times a year and recommend the suitable strategies for the country.  The National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP) of WHO provides technical support for high quality Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance and assists the Government in microplanning, training and monitoring of polio immunization campaign. During this year as on 24th August 2007, less number of polio cases has been reported in comparison to 2006 as 169 polio cases have been reported compared to 231 upto this week of last year.  There has been significant decline in the number of cases caused by the most virulent strain of poliovirus type 1 (P1).  This year the number of P1 cases has fallen to 48 as compared to 226 up to this week last year. The endemic region of Western Uttar Pradesh has reported only three type 1 polio cases this year.  The core districts of Moradabad and J P Nagar, the epicenter of the outbreak last year, have not had a single case of P1 for the last 8 months. Polio type 1 circulation is continuing in certain district of Bihar and UP due to presence of risk factors like high population density, poor sanitation, flooding and migration.  Polio type 1 cases reported in 2007 in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are importations from UP & Bihar. The number of cases caused by other surviving strain of poliovirus – type 3 – (P3) has risen this year to 121 from 5 in the corresponding period last year, but the circulation is confined to limited geographical area of Western Uttar Pradesh and Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand.  This rise is consistent with the immunization strategy focusing on P1 through the use of more efficacious monovalent type 1 polio vaccine since April 2005.  The immunization strategy has been focusing on curtailing P1 and keeping P3 in check because P1 circulates more widely, has been responsible for international spread and has the propensity to cause large outbreaks. The number of polio cases detected during this year, state wise can be seen at Annexure. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is working closely with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and National Polio Surveillance Project to work out strategies for polio eradication in UP.  Several rounds of OPV vaccination campaigns have been carried out in UP in 2006 and 2007.  Understanding the level of immunity in areas where immunity gaps persisted despite vaccination campaigns is crucial to the success of polio eradication in UP. Entrovirus Research Centre of ICMR has been closely analyzing the available data in collaboration with NPSP and other experts.  ICMR has taken up two studies to evaluate populations immunity (to understand immunity gaps) 1)         determine prevalence of poliovirus antibodies in normal healthy children in Moradabad district and 2)         determine prevalence of poliovirus antibodies in non-polio AFP cases in children up to 5 years in 24 districts in Western UP.               The studies are being funded by the Government of India with logistic support from UP Government and NPSP.  ICMR is coordinating the studies and Entrovirus Research Centre (ERC) of ICMR will carry out testing of samples.  Results of the study on prevalence of antibodies in normal children in Moradabad district will be available in about 8 months and the result of the second study will be available in about 20 months. This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. KR/SK/117 – LS ANNEXURE State/UTs 2007 (up to 24th August 2007) Uttar Pradesh 135 Bihar 22 Andhra Pradesh 5 Uttarakhand 3 Haryana 1 Maharashtra 1 Gujarat 1 Rajasthan 1 Total 169