Our World

Polio Scare in Northern India

I just read an article about the Polio scare in North India. 297 cases have been reported this year affecting children under the age of five. The main scare is in the northern state of Utter Pradesh, which they found a total of 269 cases. The scary thing is that last year there was only 66 cases reported. This dramatic increase could start a state wide crises, and even spread thoughout India. The disease was gone in many countries untill now. This new outspead has risen the disease scare once again. Polio destroys your nervious system, and can result in paralysis. It is transmitted through contaminated foods and drinking water, which isn't a suprise to why this scare is resulting in India. Most of India's population lives in poverty, and they don't drink the cleanest water or eat the safest foods. But since September 12th of this year, 1,228 cases of polio have been found; most of these coming from India and countries in Africa.

The other main concern is that most of these cases found are mostly affecting Muslims. The ministry official are meething to review the case, and are trying to find a strategy to stop the scare. I thought it was interesting to see that 67% of the infections were affecting Muslims, and the other 33% are mostly from the Hindu community. They say that they think the reason of why Muslims are getting it is becasue the Polio vaccine also acts as a birth control. They want to have children so therefor don't think they should take the medicane. I agree with the ministry to incourage the polio vaccine so that India and the rest of the world can stay safe from the disease.

posted by Anonymous @ 9/19/2006 09:16:00 PM