India faces polio challenge in 2008

India faces a continuing problem from polio this year, with the disease still prevalent in certain regions of the Asian nation.

According to Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, more than nine out of ten of the country's reported cases of the disease last year occurred in two states, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

As a result, he told IANS that the government's efforts to eradicate the condition this year would focus on those worst-affected areas.

"If the situation in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh can improve then we will have a different picture of polio," Mr Ramados said.

The minister's comments come after Indian health officials reported the number of polio cases in Bihar more than doubled last year, from 61 to 133, the Associated Press reported.

Official government figures revealed a total of 590 polio cases across India last year, compared to 676 the previous year.

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