1st polio case in J&K, 14 new cases in India

Jammu and Kashmir has reported its first case of polio after remaining free of the disease for two years, reports Sanjay Khajuria.

A polio case on December 29, 2006 within the municipal limits of Jammu city has put not only the municipality but also the health department on their heels. Surprisingly this is the first ever case of AFP +ve reported in the last over a few years from the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources in the health department disclosed that a three-year old girl child has been found positive for AFP (Acute Flaccid Paralysis) and thus chances of Poliovirus can't be ruled out, they added. Shockingly this case was confirmed when the state was looking towards national and WHO authorities to declare the state "Polio Free State".

The case has been identified as Gun barely three-years-old girl child born to one Prem Kumar of 75-Prem Nagar Jammu just within the one kms radius of the walled city. Shell shocked health authorities are now just sitting with their heads together and pondering about where the things have went wrong despite their over 90 per cent achievement claimed for Pulse Polio Campaign in the last few years.

Sources said the reports from National Institute of Communicable Diseases New Delhi and National Institute of Virology Kasouli have confirmed the case as AFP+ve passing live poliovirus with stool.

When contacted Dr Shahid Mougal Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Jammu said
that it was an AFP case and the department has taken cognisance in this
regard. A team of health officials comprising Dr VK Gupta Polio Surveillance Officer with World Health Organisation and Dr Sunil Kaila District Immunization Officer has cordoned the area of 114 houses and freshly immunised the children, he said.

To a question if the area would be put under mopping operation under the
supervision of WHO, Dr Mougal replied that it is not necessary as the state is going to have National Pulse Polio Campaign on January 7 and the second phase on February 11, 2007. Replying to another query, he said the girl has been fully immunised. Perhaps she is showing no neuro-physical imbalance but is being AFP+ve. She and the other children of the area need extra care.

The state has not witnessed any polio case for the last few years though it showed a rise on AFP cases and registered 107 AFP cases in 2005 to 134 by the end of year 2006 forcing authorities for opting preventive measures.

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