Medical Experts Dispel Polio Resurgence Fears In Kolkata

A senior official of the West Bengal Health department said the virus found in Kolkata sewage is Vaccine derived Polio virus and is not threatening.

Fears that the dreaded polio virus has resurfaced after being eradicated eight years ago were dispelled by medical experts who examined the virus found in the sewage in Kolkata and found it inactive.

According to health ministry sources, Vaccine derived Polio virus was detected in the environmental surveillance of sewage and not Wild polio virus.

The National Institute of Virology Mumbai did the genetic sequencing, the sources said.

It can occur in any country where Oral Polio vaccine is given.