First wild poliovirus (WPV) case in five years recorded in Malawi.

Why in news?

• Malawi has recorded Africa’s first wild poliovirus (WPV) case in five years.

About Polio:

• Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under 5 years of age.
• It may affect the spinal cord causing muscle weakness and paralysis.
• Transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a contaminated water or food).
• Wild poliovirus (WPV) is the most commonly known form of the poliovirus.
• There are 3 strains of WPV- type 1, type 2 and type 3.
  • > type 2 was eradicated in 1999
  • > no case of type 3 has been found since 2012.
  • > As at 2020, type 1 affects two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.