WHO Confirms Case of Vaccine-Deprived Polio in Meghalaya
First Published: 13th September, 2024 17:03 IST
After India being polio free for a decade now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed a case of vaccine-derived polio in Meghalaya. Last month, a 2-year old child from
After India being polio free for a decade now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed a case of vaccine-derived polio in Meghalaya.
Last month, a 2-year old child from Tikrikila in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district showed symptoms of polio. Soon, WHO collected samples and investigated the case and now it has confirmed that the child is suffering from polio because of vaccine hesitancy.
A senior official from the Meghalaya Health Department confirmed that the child has contracted vaccine-derived polio. The official clarified that this is not a case of wild polio, as was doubted earlier, but an infection that may occur in some children due to vaccine hesitancy.
The state government is now setting up a state-level task force on immunization, to be led by the Principal Secretary of Health, to involve deputy commissioners from all districts and address the issue more seriously.
Ram Kumar S., Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, explained that there is a specific protocol to follow when any case of vaccine-derived polio or any type of polio is reported.
According to the Secretary, when the Tikrikila case was detected, all necessary actions were taken, and samples were collected from 28 children of the village. All these samples tested negative for polio.
He noted that this appears to be an isolated case, and even in this particular child, there is no significant predisposition to polio. The issue seems to be related to a lack of routine immunization rather than the vaccine itself.
He further indicated that the WHO team, after returning from their field visit, recommended strengthening surveillance in certain areas where it is currently insufficient and also about the measles-rubella outbreak.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Saira Banu Breaks Silence on Separation With “Gem” AR Rahman, Asks People Not to “Tarnish” His Image
25th November 2024Live Parliament Winter Session: Nirmala Sitharaman to Move Bills to Amend Banking Laws
25th November 2024Live The North East Sanstha celebrates Lachit Divas in Delhi
24th November 2024Live Meghalaya: Assam Rifles Half Marathon 2024 Kicks Off In Shillong
24th November 2024WE RECOMMEND
Meghalaya: Assam Rifles Half Marathon 2024 Kicks Off In Shillong
Legendary boxer and former Rajya Sabha member MC Mary Kom, who was the event's brand ambassador, also participated in the 10 km "Pine Path" run.
24th November 2024We Don’t Have Culture of Use and Throw: CM Conrad on Allies After Wife Wins Gambegre, Party Tally Goes Up to 32
Mehtab Chandee registered a convincing win in Gambegre helping the ruling NPP take its tally to single majority mark of 32.
23rd November 20243 Records that Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma’s Wife Mehtab Created By Winning Gambegre Bypoll
Mehtab Chandee Sangma, wife of Conrad and NPP’s winning candidate for the Gambegre seat created history today on three counts.
23rd November 2024Assam By-Poll Results: UPPL’s Nirmal Kumar Brahma Wins Sidli Seat, Defeats BPF’s Shuddho Kumar Basumatary By 37,016 Votes
He defeated BPF’s Shuddho Kumar Basumatary, who received 58,227 votes, and Congress’s Sanjib Warie, who garnered 7,634 votes.
23rd November 2024Meghalaya Bypoll Results: CM Conrad Sangma’s Wife, Debutant Mehtab Chandee Wins Gambegre, Defeats TMC’s Sadhiarani Sangma by 4594 Votes
Big loss TMC, BJP and Congress who fielded veterans
23rd November 2024