Meghalaya on alert after suspected polio case in 2-year-old

Guwahati: A two-year-old boy in a remote village of Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district has shown symptoms suggestive of poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio.

This development has raised concerns as India was declared polio-free in 2014, with the last reported case in 2011.

The child, currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Assam's Goalpara district, is undergoing tests to determine the specific type of poliovirus.

Health officials are investigating whether it's a wild poliovirus, the eradicated strain, or a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), a rare consequence of the oral polio vaccine (OPV).

Authorities have been alerted. The State Government is in communication with the Central Government and the World Health Organization (WHO).

A WHO team has already reached the village of Tikrikilla to collect samples for further analysis.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. He emphasized a cautious approach while investigations are ongoing.

"The government is reviewing all aspects of the case before issuing an official statement and outlining a plan of action. We will provide an update within a few days," he said.