Date:18/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/18/stories/2008121859301100.htm

National

Polio viruses traced to Bihar, U.P.

M. Malleswara Rao

HYDERABAD: Health officials of the Union government have found two types of viruses that cause polio among children – Polio 1 and Polio 3 – in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. All other States have been held as free from these viruses but are reporting stray cases.

There were 874 cases last year in Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa following migration of viruses from the two States. Compared to this, 535 cases have been reported this year so far. Andhra Pradesh had one case at Kakinada, claimed to be free from polio. Serum samples of the afflicted child have been sent for testing in Chennai.