Raiganj, Jan. 9: The North Dinajpur health authorities have failed to administer pulse polio to 8,510 children during last Sunday’s nationwide programme. This, despite the fact that the Centre had issued alerts to step up the vaccination drive in six blocks adjacent to Kishanganj in Bihar, where the disease is still prevalent.

Goalpokhar, Chakulia, Chopra, Islampur, Raigunj and Karandighi in Islampur subdivision, are the blocks adjoining the Purnea and Kishanganj districts of Bihar.

The North Dinajpur district magistrate, Sukumar Bhattacharyya, has directed the block officials to take emergency measures to bring all children under the pulse polio programme.

“Recently as many as 38 polio cases were detected in Kishanganj. I have instructed the health department and the respective block development officers to take help from the local MLA, panchayat leaders and other officials and make sure all the children are vaccinated. The Union health ministry had sent a letter alerting us,” said Bhattacharyya.

The magistrate said if steps were not taken immediately, the disease could spread to these areas from Bihar.

The deputy chief medical officer of health, Deepak Bhowmik, said in 2004 an eight-year-old Beauty Khatun went to visit a relative in Purnea and was later struck by polio. “People of these blocks frequently travel to Bihar, either for work or to visit relatives”.

Bhowmik added that the drive would be extended for two more days to cover the children who have been left out.