Polio Eradication in India: Myth or Reality.

Background: Poliomyelitis has been eradicated from large parts of the world. In South East Asian Region, India and Pakistan remain the only countries where active transmission of the disease persists. A decade-long initiative to eradicate the disease is in progress in India. Initial results were encouraging, with the number of fresh polio decreasing till 2001. The year 2002, however, witnessed a setback, with significant rise in cases of poliomyelitis.

Methods And Results: The eradication measures have been reviewed. The corrective measures appear to be succeeding. Various facets of eradication and their impact are evaluated.

Conclusion: Poliomyelitis is controlled but the ultimate target of eradication may still be elusive, keeping in mind operational lacunae and vaccine virus characteristics.