Lots of concerns are there over Wild polio virus (P2 strain) that was found in Hyderabad drain. But it was a vaccine derived virus and it doesn't change the Polio-free status of India. Union Ministry said that it will hold a special immunization drive in the high-risk areas of Telangana.
A statement reads, "India continues to be polio free as the country has eradicated wild polio virus and the last case was seen on January 13, 2011 and it is more than 5 years that no wild polio virus has been detected."
Health Ministery said the detected Polio virus strain was found in a sewage sample collected near the Secunderabad railway station, is vaccine derived polio virus (VDPV). VDPV is a rare strain of Polio virus and that has been genetically mutated from the strain contained in the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).
Also this OPV will contain Live virus particles. Union Ministry further said, "No children have been found to be affected by the detected VDPV isolate in the nearby areas. Last case of Wild Polio Virus Type 2 in country was reported 17 years back in 1999."
