What is polio?
We have all heard of the coronavirus. It was responsible for the COVID-19 disease. But do you know, there are other kinds of viruses in the world as well? These viruses cause various diseases. One such virus is poliovirus, and it causes a disease called polio. Polio (short for Poliomyelitis) is a disease that only affects humans. Children are at the most risk of getting infected with polio. In extreme cases, it can stop our ability to walk or even kill us.
A few days back, poliovirus was discovered in the United Kingdom (UK).
What is the importance of this discovery?
The UK was declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1982. So, the discovery came as a surprise. The poliovirus was found in samples taken from London. The authorities have stated that there may be a very small spread of polio in the city.
How will this discovery affect the people of the UK?
COVID-19 scared us, so it is completely normal to worry about polio. But you don’t need to worry much.
The UK government stated that the country is well prepared to fight polio because almost every UK citizen is already vaccinated against polio. The country continues to vaccinate children and that will protect them from polio.
So, what about India? Let’s find out.
Should India be concerned?
No - India is polio-free since 2011. This was possible because of the Pulse Polio Programme. Under it, children aged 0-5 years were vaccinated in hospitals, their homes, and even in public places such as railway stations.
We might find polio in India, but the risk of polio infection remains low as long as India continues to vaccinate children.
So you don’t need to worry about it!
