9th wild poliovirus case reported in Pakistan in a child from the Zhob district of Balochistan
Pakistan officials report an additional wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case in a 1.5-year-old child from Zhob district, Balochistan.
This is the 9th case reported in Pakistan this year and the 18th case reported globally (9 in Afghanistan).
The affected child developed weakness in his legs on June 28 and subsequent testing of samples collected from him were positive for WPV1. Genetic sequencing of the isolated virus is underway.
Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath said that poliovirus has now affected nine children, seven of them in Balochistan alone.
“The resurgence of poliovirus in this region is highly concerning and the government is focusing on implementing high quality polio vaccination campaigns and improving routine vaccination rates to boost children’s immunity,” he added.
PM’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza said that the virus has been found in over 50 districts, making it a constant threat for children, particularly those with weak immunity due to missing vaccination.
“Polio has no cure, the only way to protect children is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine,” she said, urging parents to vaccinate all children under the age of five against polio.
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Muhammad Anwarul Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, said the Polio Programme is focused on finding populations that may have been missed in polio campaigns and making sure that they receive the protective vaccine.
“We have already conducted six polio campaigns this year and are continuing to implement strategies to keep children protected,” he said.