Two more polio cases reported – Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The number of polio cases has reached 64 in the country this year, as two other cases were reported by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.

A 30-month-old girl and a 23-month-old boy have become new victims of poliovirus. It was revealed that his parents were against vaccination and dodged polio equipment.

With these two additions, the total number of polio cases in KP has reached 48 this year.

An official from the Polio Virology Laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH), requesting anonymity, said the latest cases were reported in the Lakki Marwat and Torghar districts.

“The girl, who is paralyzed, comes from Nali Chak, UC Mamakhel, tehsil Serai Naurang, Lakki Marwat district. The start date was August 24; however, since the incubation time of the virus is around three weeks, it is finally confirmed that the child was paralyzed due to the polio virus, "he said.

The total number reaches 48 in KP and 64 in the whole country this year

“The child is a resident of UC Shattal, tehsil Judba, Torghar district. The virus notification date was August 21 and the sample was sent to the laboratory on August 26, ”he said.

Prime Minister's focal point on polio Babar Bin Atta said Dawn that in both cases the parents avoided vaccination against polio.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus that primarily affects children under five. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death.

While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this paralyzing disease.

Every time a child under five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus increases.

Repeated vaccines have protected millions of children, allowing almost every country in the world to free themselves from polio.

There are only two countries in the world, Pakistan and Afghanistan, where polio cases are reported.

Pakistan remains under a travel restriction related to polio imposed by the World Health Organization because, since 2014, every person traveling on board must carry a polio vaccination certificate.

Posted on Dawn, September 18, 2019