In recent news, India has committed to offering free vaccinations against Polio to those returning from Afghanistan. The decision comes as a preventative action against the Wild Polio Virus, which remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan – the two countries worldwide that have yet to eradicate the virus completely.
About Polio: A Crippling Viral Infectious Disease
Polio or poliomyelitis is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It can cause paralysis and, in severe cases, death. It’s important to note that there are three separate and immunologically distinct strains of the virus: Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), type 2 (WPV2), and type 3 (WPV3). Despite causing identical symptoms such as paralysis and possible fatality, these three strains are genetically and virologically different, requiring individual eradication efforts.
Transmission and Symptoms of Polio
The poliovirus can spread through person-to-person contact, primarily via the fecal-oral route. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food or water. The virus primarily affects children under 5 years old, multiplying in the intestine, from where it may invade the nervous system and cause paralysis. Most people infected with the poliovirus don’t feel ill and only experience minor symptoms such as fever, tiredness, nausea, and headaches.
Prevention Through Vaccination
While there is no cure for Polio, it can be prevented through immunization. Two types of vaccines are used: the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), administered orally at birth followed by three primary doses and one booster dose; and the Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV), given as an additional dose alongside the DPT vaccine under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
Recent Polio Outbreaks Worldwide
In 2019, polio outbreaks occurred in several countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and China, with these outbreaks primarily caused by vaccine-derived strains of the virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), when the oral vaccine-virus circulates in unimmunized or under-immunized populations for over 12 months, it can mutate and cause infections.
Status of Polio in India
Following three years with no recorded cases, India received a Polio-free certification from the WHO in 2014, attributed significantly to the successful Pulse Polio Campaign that ensured all children received polio vaccinations. The last case of wild poliovirus in the country was detected on 13th January 2011.
Global and Indian Measures for Polio Eradication
Launched in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has made significant strides, with 80% of the world’s population now living in certified polio-free regions. An estimated 1.5 million childhood deaths have been prevented due to the administration of vitamin A during polio immunization activities.
World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24 to remind countries to stay vigilant in their fight against this disease.
India has also implemented its own strategies for polio eradication, such as the Pulse Polio Programme aiming for 100% coverage of the Oral Polio Vaccine, the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 marking 25 years of the Pulse polio programme, and the Universal Immunization Programme launched in 1985, which aims to increase immunization coverage rapidly and improve service quality.