Telangana, a southern state in India has launched a Polio Drive from October 12 to 15 with Hyderabad administering oral polio drops to 5,17,238 children. This is part of Telangana's Pulse Polio Immunisation Drive, 2025. Hyderabad is one of six districts participating in this nationwide effort to prevent polio resurgence.What Is Happening In Hyderabad?Hyderabad has set up 2,843 vaccination booths which will operate from 7am to 6pm at health centers, schools, transport hubs, and high footfall areas. Over 11,200 health workers, including ASHA and Anganwadi staff, will also conduct door-to-door visits from October 13 to 15, targeting 164 high-risk localities to ensure full coverage. Around 9.36 lakh households are expected to be reached during the campaign.The drive is part of India’s ongoing national effort to maintain its polio-free status, especially amid reports of poliovirus cases in neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan. Officials have urged parents to ensure that children receive both required doses, stressing that even a single missed child can pose a risk to the wider community.Parents can visit nearby booths or contact local health workers for information. Assistance is also available via helplines 1070 (State Control Room) and 1098 (Child Line) for guidance on immunisation schedules.What Is Polio?The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that it is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in matter of hours. The virus is transmitted by person to person spread mainly through the fecal-oral route, or less frequently, by a common vehicle, which could be either from contaminated food or water. The virus also multiplies in the intestine.The National Institute of Health (NIH), US, notes that the virus responsible for causing Polio belongs to the Picornaviridae family.Read: Polio Cases Reported In Pakistan And Nigeria, More Details InsideCommon Symptoms of PolioThe NIH notes that the maximum excretion of the virus is seen in 2 to 3 days prior and 1 week after appearance of symptoms. The spread is especially rapid in areas with poor sanitation, and among the nonimmune population. The rise in cases could be seen in summer months and temperate regions.As per the WHO, the common Polio symptoms are:FeverFatigueHeadacheVomitingStiffness of the neck aPain in the limbsThe WHO also notes that 1 in 200 infections leads to intervisible paralysis, usually in legs, and among 5 to 10% of those paralyzed do not survive.Who Are Most At The Risk Of Polio?As per the WHO, Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age, however, it can happen to anyone of any age who is unvaccinated and may have come in contract with the disease.Is There Any Cure For Polio?While there is no cure for Polio, it can very well be prevented. Polio vaccines, which can be administered multiple times, can protect a child for life. There are two vaccines available:Oral Polio VaccineInactivated Polio Vaccines
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