DHAKA: Using both types of polio vaccine could speed up efforts to free the world of the disease.

A research suggests, reports the BBC.

The oral vaccine is leading the fight to eradicate polio, but trials in India show an additional injection of inactivated virus boosts immunity.

The World Health Organization said the findings, published in the journal Science, were ‘truly historic’.

The disease, which is spread through contaminated faeces, can cause paralysis and even death.

Fighting polio has been one of the biggest success stories in global health.

In 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio in more than 125 countries.

The disease is now widespread in just three countries - Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan - and cases have fallen by more than 99%.

BDST: 1239 HRS, AUG 26, 2014