Fresh cases of polio in UP

<div class="section0"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="">LUCKNOW: The map of western Uttar Pradesh with a concentration of dots indicating the rising number of polio cases clearly illustrates trends of the spread of this debilitating disease. </span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Of the 58 polio cases reported in the country this year, UP has once again taken the lead, reporting 39 cases — an overwhelming majority have been reported among the Muslim community — with the virus primarily spreading its tentacles in western UP.On September 17, three new cases were reported — two from Moradabad and one from Saharanpur. Two of the three children belong to the minority community.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">From Budaun 10 cases have been reported — five Muslims and five Hindus, Bareilly has reported two cases, both Muslim children. In Bulandshahar, one Muslim child has been afflicted with this disease. Ghaziabad reported three cases — one Hindu and two Muslims— while JP Nagar and Mau reported one case each belonging to the Muslim community. Rampur reported one case of a Hindu child with polio. </span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">The resistance to administering polio drops seems to be highest in Moradabad which has the dubious distinction of reporting the maximum 16 polio cases (including the recent ones) — three from Hindu community and 13 from the Muslim community. Muzzafarnagar and Saharanpur have reported two cases each where children of the minority community are suffering from the dreaded disease. </span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Surveillance conducted in these areas indicate that the polio virus has been active mainly in the Muslim dominated areas and despite concerted vaccination drives it continues to raise its ugly head in western UP. Though it has been reiterated that the polio virus does not recognise religious distinction while targeting the young victims, it is unfortunate that children of a particular community are proving to be vulnerable. </span><br /></div> </div>