Pakistan Reports Fourth Wild Polio Case
Sumaira FH Published May 25, 2022 | 08:36 PM
In the fourth case this year, a 13-month-old boy has been paralysed by wild poliovirus in North Waziristan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th May, 2022 ) :In the fourth case this year, a 13-month-old boy has been paralysed by wild poliovirus in North Waziristan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
According to health officials, the child had an onset of paralysis on May 5 in the town Mir Ali.
This is the third case reported from Mir Ali this year.
The case was confirmed by the Pakistan National Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad on May 23.
"Another child in North Waziristan has been paralyzed by wild poliovirus. This 13-month-old child will live with disabilities for the rest of his life because of a virus that is entirely preventable. This is a collective loss for Pakistan," said Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel.
"Over 99% of the world is now polio-free. Our children also deserve a life free from this incurable disease," he added.
The southern districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, namely North and South Waziristan, D.I.Khan, Bannu, Tank and Lakki Marwat are at highest risk of wild poliovirus.
Bannu also reported two positive environmental samples between April and May this year, confirming that ongoing wild poliovirus transmission was not limited to North Waziristan.
"All parents must realize the risk that wild polio continues to pose to children all over Pakistan.
Please ensure that your children are vaccinated in the ongoing nationwide campaign being conducted in all 156 districts of the country," the health minister added.
"Parents don't realize that every time they refuse vaccination or mark their child's finger without giving them the polio drops during polio campaigns, they are exposing their children to lifelong disabilities. There is a huge cost to this practice," said Federal Health Secretary Aamir Ashraf Khawaja.
According to preliminary investigations, the child had not received any dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine.
All children confirmed with wild polio this year belong to North Waziristan, where more cases are expected due to high refusal rates and instances of finger-marking without vaccination during campaigns.
The Pakistan Polio Programme has conducted emergency campaigns in the area, while children were administered the vaccine at all entry and exit points from southern KP to the rest of the province and across the border to Afghanistan to control the spread of the virus.
The nationwide immunisation campaign started on 23 May and will continue across the country till 27 May.
With the new case, the global count for wild polio in 2022 has reached five from the endemic countries, with one case reported from Afghanistan in February.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC orders end of encroachments in Karachi
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Murder suspect apprehended in Attock
4 minutes ago -
Attock police foil narcotics smuggling attempt
4 minutes ago -
Private schools open doors to poor students for free education under agreement with Distt. Admin
4 minutes ago -
Gujranwala Expressway to complete by April-end: Minister Sohaib Bherth
4 minutes ago -
Hajj training for intending pilgrims held
13 minutes ago -
Private education sector demands allocation of funds for educational institutions
13 minutes ago
-
DG Libraries inaugurates third day of book fair
13 minutes ago -
Police conducts crackdown against drug dealers
13 minutes ago -
Motorcyclist crushed to death by dumper
14 minutes ago -
Ethiopian envoy emphasises working for collective prosperity
14 minutes ago -
Family of slain police officer demands justice
24 minutes ago -
Abdul Wasay, Faisal Wawda take oath as Senators
24 minutes ago