Click to play videoNew Delhi: The water level might be receding in flood hit Bihar but the danger is far from over.
Apart from water borne and vector borne diseases, the state might be at risk of a polio outbreak.
Union health minister, Anbumani Ramadoss himself has sounded the alarm.
"Gastroentitis, malaria, Japanese encephalitis plus polio is something we are already looking at because it is an endemic area," says Ramadoss.
Polio is a fecal-oral virus that spreads through person to person contact. The virus is found in human excreta and thrives in unhygienic conditions.
The flooded areas of Bihar provide an ideal environment for this virus to spread.
Apart from this, Bihar is known to be the seat of polio in India.
According to the WHO, in 2008 alone, Bihar accounted for 218 out of the total 397 polio cases registered across the country.
Ramadoss says, "The major problem is going to be after the water recedes. I'm sure there will be a lot many outbreaks of communicable diseases water borne diseases."
While an epidemic threatens to cripple Bihar in the next few days, the government at the center is trying to treat the problem.
The national disaster management authority (NDMA) meeting is being held at the PMO on Friday to assess the situation.
As the state stares at the outbreak of epidemics, hopefully the NDMA meeting on Friday translates what it discusses into concrete action.
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