New Delhi: After nearly two years free from polio, a suspected case of polio has been reported in the Darbhanga district of Bihar, an official said in New Delhi said on Thursday.
“The case is under detailed investigation. As a measure of abundant precaution, an immunisation drive is being carried out in 28 districts of Bihar early next week,” a health ministry official said.
Representative image. Reuters
According to the health ministry, the case is suspected to be of wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3).
“Bihar has not had any case of WPV3 since January 2010. India has been polio-free since Jan 13, 2011. The WPV3 strain is prevalent in Nigeria and Pakistan,” the official added.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) officially removed India from the list of polio-endemic countries early this year, as India has not had a case of polio since January 13, 2011.
India has to report no polio for three consecutive years to be declared polio-free.
IANS
