Poliomyelitis is an infectious viral disease caused by the poliovirus that affects the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. While once widespread globally, polio has been eliminated from most developed countries due to vaccination programs. India was the last country still reporting cases but has been polio-free since 2011 due to efforts like the Pulse Polio Immunization program. There are now strict surveillance measures and border control to maintain India's polio-free status.