Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a)        Whether a number of polio cases have been reported in the country during 2007 and so far during 2008 and number of such cases reported from the states of UP and Bihar is quiet high;

(b)        if so, the number of polio cases reported during 2007 and so far during 2008, State,wise;

(c)        whether the reasons for this state of affairs have been evaluated and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)        the steps taken/proposed to be taken to tackle the problem?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) & (b) During 2007a total of 874 cases were reported and in the 2008 so far 486 cases have been reported. Statement showing state-wise cases in 2007 and so far in 2008 is Annexed.

(c)        Reasons of occurrence of cases are as given below: Convergence of a number of risk factors that favors virus transmission and interfere with effectiveness of oral polio vaccine. Population immunity threshold needed to stop transmission and sustain cessation in some of the endemic districts is very high. Analysis of data suggests that the immunity to WPV1 among young children in some of the endemic districts of Western UP decline during the first and second quarter of 2008.

(d)        The steps taken/proposed to be taken are: Undertaking Supplementary Immunization Activities with monovalent type specific vaccine in endemic States/districts. Mop Up immunization activities are being undertaken in response to detection of polio virus in polio free areas. Effective social mobilization is being undertaken by involving religious leaders, gram panchayats and community leaders.

(as on 17.10.2008)

            Number of Polio cases by state, 2007-2008

            State/UTs                                                               2007                       2008

            Uttar Pradesh                                                           341                          243

            Bihar                                                                        503                          226

            Delhi                                                                        2                             3

            Maharashtra                                                             2                             3

            Haryana                                                                   6                             2

            West Bengal                                                             2                             2

            Orissa                                                                      1                             2

            Andhra Pradesh                                                       5                             1

            Rajasthan                                                                 3                             1

            Punjab                                                                      1                             1

            Madhya Pradesh                                                       0                             1

            Assam                                                                     0                             1

            Uttarakhand                                                           6

           Gujarat                                                                    1

            Karnataka                                                                1

            Jharkhand                                                                 0

            Chandigarh                                                                                              0

            Himachal Pradesh                                                     0

            Jammu & Kashmir                                                    0

            Tamil Nadu                                                                                              0

            Chhattisgarh                                                                                            0

            Kerala                                                                                                     0

            Daman & Diu                                                                                          0

            D & N Haveli                                                           0

            Goa                                                                                                         0

            Pondichery                                                                                              0

            Andaman & Nicobar                                                 0

            Arunachal Pradesh                                                   0

            Lakshadweep                                                                                          0

            Manipur                                                                   0

            Meghalaya                                                                               0

            Mizoram                                                                   0

            Nagaland                                                                  0

            Sikkim                                                                      0

            Tripura                                                                     0

            Total                                                                       874                         486