In the second such case in Maharashtra this year, a nine-month-old child from neighbouring Navi Mumbai has tested positive for vaccine-derived polio virus (VDPV) type 2.
"The boy is stable and on ventilator, being treated at the B J Wadia hospital at Parel (central Mumbai)," director of Health Services Dr Satish Pawar told PTI here.
The child, Arsh Singh, was suspected to be suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome(which, like polio, leads to paralysis) and his stool reports confirmed the presence of VDPV, Dr Pawar said. "We are now testing other children in his home and locality," he added.
The child had been administered the oral polio vaccine at least five times.
"If he has a compromised immunity, the live virus in the vaccine can keep on multiplying and any mutation in the virus could lead to the disease," Dr Pawar added.
This is the second case of VDPV in Maharashtra and fourth in the country this year, the official said. In June, a 10-month old boy from Beed in the state, who had contracted VDPV, died at a hospital.
