Government today refuted reports that around 200 samples have tested positive to "polio-like symptoms" in Uttar Pradesh and asserted that its test has found all these cases "negative".
The statement comes after a section of media reported that more than 200 samples have tested positive to polio-like symptoms from tehsils in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh, sending alarm bells ringing in the health department.
"Nearly 18,000 Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases have been investigated between January and June 2015 as part of the ongoing surveillance activities in India.
"The 208 cases reported from Bareilly in a section of the media are a part of these. Reports of all AFP cases received from the laboratories in 2015 are negative for polio virus," the Health Ministry said in a statement while asserting that India maintains "high" surveillance for polio virus detection.
It said that every year, approximately 50,000 AFP cases are picked up across the country and investigated by the polio surveillance network and all such cases investigated in 2012, 2013 and 2014 have tested "negative" for polio virus.
The Health Ministry said that polio surveillance in India has been set up as per global WHO guidelines in which all cases of paralysis with sudden onset in children up to 15 years (which is called Acute Flaccid Paralysis or AFP) are reported and investigated by the polio surveillance network.
Noting that the stool samples are tested for polio virus in WHO-accredited laboratories, the Ministry also said that polio surveillance in the country is considered among the best in the world and surpasses globally-recommended standards.
The Health Ministry said that India has been polio-free for more than 4 years and maintains "high" surveillance for polio virus detection. The country reported its last case of wild polio virus in 2011.
"India has maintained a high vigil and ensured that no complacency sets in order to maintain the polio-free status for the last 4 years. It has taken appropriate actions to ensure high population immunity against polio as well as for maintaining a sensitive surveillance system for polio virus detection," it said.
