India is planning to eradicate Polio disease by 2009. The Government originally planned to eradicate the disease by 2000 but the number of Polio cases have shown a slight increase over last few years. The government is confident of annihilating this cruel disease from the country. Polio Myelitis is an acute viral disease that commonly affects children between 3 months and 5 years of age. The disease causes inflammation of the spinal cord affecting the central nervous system. The Polio Eradication Programme in India is working to spread awareness about the disease all over India. The disease can be prevented by a trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to the infants. A global initiative to eradicate polio by WHO, UNICEF and Rotary Foundation began in 1988. Today Polio is eradicated from America, Europe, Australia and China but the disease still persists in India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan. Education and awareness will put an end to Polio in India. We all hope for a polio free India in 2009.

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