30 fresh polio cases reported from across country

NEW DELHI: Thirty fresh polio cases have been reported from across the country, 21 alone from Uttar Pradesh, taking the figure to 416.

"Thirty fresh polio cases were reported in the country, out of which 21 were from Uttar Pradesh alone. The total polio figure is 416, of which 358 is from UP. Last year, 66 polio cases were reported," an official of the National Polio Programme said.

While Bihar has reported four more cases, taking the figure in the state to 28, Delhi has four polio cases since January this year. Three fresh polio cases were reported from Uttaranchal and one from Haryana.

The official said the cases will come down in another four weeks time because the peak time of the viral is over by Novemeber.

"Polio virus is active from June to September, while October is the peak time. By November there is a downward trend," he said.

He said the November 12 pulse polio drive in theworst-affected polio states, which will cover 82 per cent of the country and 130 million children, will help in bringing down polio cases in the country.

The official said even children who have taken 12 polio drops are being detected with the viral paralytic disease because of assisting factors like malnourishment, diarrhea and poor sanitation condition.

"Due to these factors, the child is not able to retain the vaccine. Also, there is no authentic data which confirms the dose the child has taken," he said.