India has been placed on high alert after a rise in polio cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the only two remaining endemic countries.

About Polio:

What it is?

Polio (Poliomyelitis) is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects the nervous system, leading to paralysis or even death in severe cases. The disease mainly targets children under 5 years of age, but unvaccinated individuals of any age remain at risk. Vector and Transmission:

The poliovirus spreads mainly through the faecal-oral route, i.e., via contaminated food or water, and multiplies in the intestine. It can also spread person-to-person, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. Symptoms:

Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, and pain in the limbs. 1 in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (often in the legs), and 5–10% of those paralysed die due to immobilisation of breathing muscles. Treatment and Prevention:

There is no cure for polio — it can only be prevented through vaccination. Two types of vaccines are used: Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): Easy to administer; provides intestinal immunity. Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): Injectable form; provides systemic protection. Multiple doses ensure lifelong immunity. India and Polio Eradication:

Last case reported: January 13, 2011 (West Bengal). Polio-free certification: Granted by WHO in 2014, after three years without any new cases. Achieved through Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme, Mission Indradhanush, and Intensified Mission Indradhanush, supported by strong surveillance systems. WHO and Global Initiatives:

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched in 1988, reducing cases by over 99%, from 350,000 cases in 125 countries to fewer than 50 today. Polio-free regions: Americas (1994), Western Pacific (2000), Europe (2002), South-East Asia (2014), and Africa (2020). Ongoing WHO surveillance and emergency response continue to target Afghanistan and Pakistan, the only countries with endemic wild poliovirus.