The polio outbreak that began in Moradabad district in western Uttar Pradesh is spreading. Cases have been confirmed in central Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and West Bengal, says the monthly report of Global Polio Eradication Initiative (gpei).
India is now planning to conduct a more extensive immunisation campaign in November to limit the spread of polio. According to the latest who report, there have been 283 polio cases in India in 2006, so far; at least 255 were from Uttar Pradesh alone. The gpei is particularly concerned about the outbreak spreading to previously polio-free areas. "The risk of further international spread is extremely high; 10 countries have already reported polio cases in 2006 due to importations," the report notes.A who report also indicates that infected travellers are spreading the disease from India and Nigeria.
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