India has earned itself the dubious distinction of having the world's highest number of polio cases in just 2 months of 2008.According to Global Polio Eradication Initiative Data ,India has recorded 82 polio cases till Feb 27.In comparison three other countries Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan have together recorded just 23 cases in the same period. On March 6 Indian has 106 confirmed polio cases of which 105 are P3 strains and one case of P1infection.According to Mr Ramadoss Union Health Minister the country's polio programme is failing to achieve its purpose.Over half of the world's polio cases were reported in the country last year.
Bihar which reported 193 fresh cases of the crippling disease in 2007 has been exporting polio strains across the country. Experts have now marked out 72 blocks in the state as high risk. In 2007 90% of P1cases were found in these blocks along the Kosi River. According to the officials additional human resources are being provided to strengthen the polio campaign in these difficult areas. By March end 300 community mobilizers are being appointed in these blocks who will impress upon locals on the benefits and importance of polio immunization. Five immunization rounds in the first half of 2008 and three rounds in the second half have been planned. In Bihar special focus will be directed to the 72 high risk clusters.P1 causes paralysis in 1 out of every 200 children as compared to P3 which causes paralysis in 1 out of every 1000 infections.
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