In a epidemic of poliomyelitis, the best way to stop spread is by –
**Core Concept**
Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, primarily spread through the fecal-oral route. Effective control measures require a combination of public health interventions, including vaccination and sanitation.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The best way to stop the spread of poliomyelitis in an epidemic is through the use of **oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV)**. OPV provides mucosal immunity, thereby blocking the virus from entering the body, and also induces a strong immune response that prevents the spread of the virus. In addition, OPV can be administered in large-scale campaigns during outbreaks, allowing for rapid control of the epidemic.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is likely to be incorrect because while sanitation and hygiene are crucial in preventing the spread of polio, they are not the most effective way to stop an ongoing epidemic. Improved sanitation can help reduce the incidence of polio, but it is not sufficient to control an outbreak.
**Option B:** This option is likely to be incorrect because while isolation of cases is an important public health measure, it is not the most effective way to control a polio epidemic. Isolation of cases may not be feasible in an outbreak setting, and it may not prevent the spread of the virus to others.
**Option C:** This option is likely to be incorrect because while surveillance and contact tracing are important components of outbreak control, they are not the most effective way to stop the spread of polio. Surveillance and contact tracing can help identify cases and contacts, but they do not prevent the spread of the virus.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In the context of polio outbreaks, the use of OPV has been shown to be highly effective in controlling the spread of the virus, with a significant reduction in cases reported in areas where OPV has been used.
**Correct Answer: C. Mass immunization with oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV)**