India shares its border with Pakistan and China, and India’s relations with both countries are not favorable. Now, Pakistan poses a new threat to India. Cases of polio are increasing in Pakistan, with another case reported this week, making it the 6th case of 2024. Additionally, in 2023, there were 6 reported cases as well.
Many may wonder about the problem when we have the vaccine. However, at one point, not only impoverished countries but also America and European countries suffered from the disease. Let’s first understand what this disease is and how it spreads.
Polio is a special type of virus that affects the spine in some cases and the brain in others. In some cases, both are affected, leading to paralysis or even death. If we look at the data, during the year 1916 in America, 27,000 people were infected with the disease, and 7,000 lost their lives, causing significant concern worldwide.
Polio spreads through person-to-person contact. It can spread through infected body waste, sneezing, or coughing. Moreover, polio is highly contagious, and even those infected may not show symptoms. Some may have flu-like symptoms, which can be mistaken for other viruses.
India was declared polio-free by the WHO in March 2014, with the last reported case in 2011 in West Bengal’s Howrah. Several stakeholders, including celebrities, government campaigns, and appointed volunteers, helped in eradicating polio from India. However, the world’s first polio case was reported in America in 1916, and the vaccine was developed by American scientist John Salk in 1955. The WHO and many other world agencies provided their research for free to save mankind. Polio was declared free in 1994 through mass production and worldwide distribution of the vaccine, with only Pakistan and Afghanistan remaining affected.
There are reasons why Pakistan is still not polio-free. Firstly, there are misconceptions surrounding the vaccine in Pakistan. Many believe it is made unethically or that it causes permanent disability. This has led to attacks on those administering the vaccine in villages. Secondly, corruption plays a significant role. Despite funds from America and the WHO for Pakistan and even for Afghanistan, corruption hampers the proper allocation of funds. This corruption could lead to more cases in the future.
