Victory for India on polio front

Posted by Linda Curtis On Thursday, January 12th 2012 in Health

In the past India used to have a big poliomyelitis problem. However, on Friday the country will be able to celebrate the first year that passed since a case of poliomyelitis was reported. If no cases will be found by Friday, India will no longer be considered endemic, leaving only Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria on the list. The news is a major morale boost for health organizations worldwide.

"This is a game changer in a huge way," said Bruce Aylward, the head of the World Health Organization's global polio campaign.

The country’s government had to spend $2.4 billion on the program to eradicate polio. It appears the effort was forth it.

"We are excited and hopeful. At the same time, vigilant and alert," Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said in a statement. Azad pointed out that his country still needed to maintain its vaccination campaign on the same track in order to be able to eliminated any residual virus and prevent the disease from leaking from abroad.

The virus usually attacks the central nervous system, sometimes even causing paralysis. In 2009, India reported 741 cases. The number fell to 42 in 2010. Philanthropist Bill Gates applauded India’s achievement and made it an example for other countries that faced similar problems.

"Polio can be stopped when countries combine the right elements: political will, quality immunization campaigns and an entire nation's determination. We must build on this historic moment and ensure that India's polio program continues to move full-steam ahead until eradication is achieved," he said in a statement.