Eradicating polio: it's feasibility in near future?
Continuous wild poliovirus transmission despite 12 years of intensive surveillance has raised serious questions about the feasibility of polio eradication programme with current strategy in near future. At present most of the cases are confined to four endemic countries, which are causing sporadic outbreaks in non-endemic areas. India has experienced a significant increase in number of cases reported in 2006 compared to previous year. Outbreaks originated in western UP which was due to the accumulation of susceptibles between the last outbreak in 2002 and early 2006. Substantial improvement has been observed in strategies of polio eradication but still there are gaps in the programme implementation which needs immediate attention so that goal of polio eradication can be achieved at the earliest opportunity. Even though there are many issues but there are also many factors, which favour polio eradication. These factors include new tool in form of m OPV, natural immunity due to recent outbreak, limiting international spread of polio, new researches to guide programme in right direction, political commitments from endemic countries, etc. 2008 presents the best opportunity ever to interrupt wild polio virus transmission which will lead to global eradication of Polio. Since global eradication is within sight, it is scientifically possible to eradicate the disease in near future.
Singh
Prem
P
Dept of Epidemiology, MCHA, National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Munirka, New Delhi. drprem76@rediffmail.com
Das
J K
JK
Dutta
P K
PK
D003906:Developing Countries; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011159:Population Surveillance
D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines