India, in the past, has had a long battle with Polio. Polio mostly affected children in India and the peak was reached in 2000, when 1,600 people were infected, the majority of them children. Back in the ’90s and early 2000s, no matter how many vaccines were created, polio remained a rampant problem in India.

The last known case in India was in Howrah, West Bengal, in 2011. India was officially declared polio-free in 2014 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Polio has affected people in India in both the past and present, with many still living with lifelong complications from the disease, such as paralysis in children.

How It Became a National Issue

Polio in India became widespread due to poor hygiene, including the use of unclean water and limited sanitation infrastructure in rural communities. Contaminated water contributes to unhygienic conditions, often because people live in poverty and environments that harm their health.

Many cannot escape these conditions, surviving on less than $3.25 a day. Statistics show that between 1993 and 2004, India had an average poverty rate of 96.8%, with more than half the population lacking access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities.

How the GPSAP 2025-2026 Will Benefit India

Over the past decade, the country has taken many steps to prevent polio from re-emerging as a major issue. These efforts include making vaccines more accessible, reducing poverty rates and improving access to clean water. The Global Polio Surveillance Action Plan (GPSAP) 2025–2026 focuses on timely detection, allowing cases of polio in specific areas of India to be identified immediately. One strategy for eradicating polio involves stool testing. If a potential virus is detected, the goal is to prevent delays in identifying and responding to cases.

The second step of action involves researching gender differences, specifically, how men and women may experience different symptoms of polio and how these differences could affect them or their children. Participants would be divided by gender and age, with men and women separated and children younger and above the age of 15 for testing. Research suggests that men may be at risk of transmitting polio through sexual intercourse. At the same time, women face an increased risk during pregnancy, especially in areas with limited health care access.

If Polio Is Eradicated, Why Take These Measures?

Although polio has been eradicated in India, it has not been eliminated in all countries. Since a virus causes polio, it can spread across borders through contaminated water, saliva or other bodily fluids. The GPSAP 2025–2026 plan is important because it helps ensure that polio does not return to India. If a case does emerge, strict measures will be taken to prevent its reestablishment in the country.

– Erin Lee

Erin is based in New York City, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

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