The Last Case of Polio in India?

Rukhsar Khatoon may be the last reported case of wild poliovirus in India, she was just 18 months old when she was paralyzed by polio on 13 January 2011. Although her two siblings received polio vaccinations, Rukhsar was often sick with diarrhea and despite encouragement from local health workers her parents had thought it was safer for her to avoid the vaccine. The stream of doctors, polio workers, and media that have visited this little girl since her diagnosis has made her well known in the neighborhood, but she is still shy around visitors. She huddles against her mother, Shabida, as her family answers questions. A host of extended family and neighbors gather around to hear her story as chickens and village dogs weave through the courtyard. Thankfully, the effects of polio were mild and after extensive physical therapy, Rukhsar is now able to walk with little evidence of paralysis. Her family...