Srinagar, Oct 24 (KNO): Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, remains one of the most feared infectious diseases in human history. Doctors say that although India was declared polio-free in 2014, the threat of its re-emergence continues to loom large due to cases still being reported in neighbouring countries.
They have called for maintaining high immunisation coverage to ensure the virus never returns.
According to doctors, polio is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. They said the virus primarily affects young children and invades the nervous system, potentially causing irreversible paralysis within hours. The disease spreads mainly through the faecal-oral route — that is, when a person comes into contact with water or food contaminated by the faeces of an infected person.
Dr Zahoor Ahmad Mir, a doctor at the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that even a single confirmed case of polio is considered a public health emergency because the virus can spread rapidly in communities with poor sanitation and low vaccination coverage.
"The primary cause of polio is infection with the poliovirus, which has three strains — Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Type 1 is the most common and still circulates in some parts of the world. The virus multiplies in the intestine and is excreted in faeces, contaminating the environment," he said.
"Poor hygiene, unsafe drinking water, and lack of sanitation facilities make it easier for the virus to spread. Children under the age of five are most vulnerable because of their developing immune systems and frequent exposure to unhygienic conditions," he added.
Doctors said that polio infection can range from mild illness to severe paralysis or even death. In most cases, infected individuals show no symptoms, but they can still spread the virus to others.
When symptoms occur, they may include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and limb pain. In severe cases, the virus attacks the nervous system, leading to acute flaccid paralysis — a condition that causes permanent disability. If the respiratory muscles are affected, the disease can be fatal.
Even after recovery, many survivors experience lifelong challenges, including muscle weakness, limb deformities, and difficulty in mobility, leading to emotional and social hardships, said Dr Sheikh Javid. "The only effective way to prevent polio is through vaccination. Two types of vaccines are used worldwide: the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)."
OPV administered as drops is easy to give and provides community-level protection by preventing virus transmission, while IPV given as an injection is safe and strengthens the immune system by inducing antibodies in the blood.
Public health authorities stress that every child should receive multiple doses of the vaccine to ensure full protection, and missing even one dose can leave children vulnerable.
Experts warn that complacency can reverse these gains. With the virus still circulating in some countries, there is always a risk of importation, they said, adding that regular immunisation drives, surveillance, and hygiene education are crucial to maintaining India’s polio-free status.
Doctors have called upon parents to ensure their children receive all scheduled doses, including during national and local immunisation rounds. Health workers, teachers, and local leaders also play an important role in spreading awareness about the benefits of vaccination, they added.
Health experts say that polio is a preventable disease, but its consequences can be devastating and lifelong. Continued vaccination efforts, public awareness, and improved sanitation are essential to keeping this crippling virus from resurfacing, they said—(KNO)