Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched two studies to determine prevalence of polio virus antibodies in children of a Uttar Pradesh district, even as shift in vaccination strategy has reportedly led to resurgence of polio type three cases in UP and Bihar.

The ICMR is undertaking one study in children in Moradabad, one of the most affected areas, and another study to determine prevalence of polio virus antibodies in non-polio cases in children upto 5 years of age in 24 districts of Western UP, in coordination with the State government and National Polio Surveillance Project.

As many as 900 sera samples have been collected and sent to Entrovirus Research Centre in Mumbai for tests. Based on the results of the study, the action programme would be reworked, ICMR sources said.

``During 2007, there has been a sharp reduction in Polio Type 1 cases in the country. Polio Type 1 cases have not been reported from the endemic districts of Western Uttar Pradesh for more than one year. Polio Type 1 circulation in Bihar is also restricted to a small proportion of blocks that have operational difficulties that got worse during the floods. The shift in vaccination strategy i.e to focus on Polio Type 1 elimination first by using monovalent oral polio vaccine 1 (mOPV1), has led to resurgence of P3 in Uttar Pradesh which has spread to adjoining areas and reintroduced into Bihar,'' an official explained.

However, according to the latest statistics in the WHO website, India had the largest number of polio cases during the year of 2007. India topped the list of affected countries with 886 cases while one-time badly afflicted Nigeria had just 286 cases. The latest case in India was reported on February 7 this year. So far 106 cases have been reported this year itself.

Meanwhile, continuing the national drive, the Centre has allocated Rs 1,290 crore for the next financial year for the purpose and the polio rounds would be increased further. The total expenditure for the programme is estimated to be around Rs 2344.56 crore for the year and Health Department would seek assistance from the World Bank and other external funding agencies to mobilize rest of the required amount.

Monovalent oral polio vaccines (mOPV1 and mOPV3) would be used in the high risk districts and States to enhance immunity against Polio Type 1 and Polio Type 3 virus. In the States of UP and Bihar every new born child is being identified and vaccinated during the polio immunization campaigns and is being tracked for 8 subsequent rounds.