18-months-old girl in Bannu becomes the latest victim of the virus
PESHAWAR
The National Institute of Health (NIH) on Wednesday disclosed a new poliovirus case in the Ghora Bakka Khel union council of Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), saying the latest victim is 18-months-old girl, making her the 3rd case reported in the country this year.
According to the case history issued by the NIH; “the child suddenly developed weakness of the left lower limb on 13 Sep 2023. The child was taken to a local health care provider (Doctor) on Sep who notified the case”.
It is pertinent to mention here that so far, a total three cases have been reported in Pakistan and all of them have been reported from the same district of KP.
Moreover, environmental samples, which identify the presence of poliovirus, have also been detected in the Bannu district.
As per NIH details, Pakistan has tested positive at least 34 environmental samples this year.
In the year 2022, as many as 20 cases of poliovirus were reported from KP.
According to district wise polio cases issued by Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, last year 17 cases of polio were reported from North Waziristan, two from Lakki Marwat, and one from South Waziristan.
It is to note that caretaker Chief Minister KP Mohammad Azam Khan while attending a meeting of the National Task Force for Eradication of Poliovirus informed that “geographical situation” was the major barrier in eradication of poliovirus from the province.
Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Services Dr Nadeem Jan has urged parents to fully cooperate with the vaccination teams and ensure that their children are vaccinated.
The minister also revealed that a comprehensive strategy has been implemented for polio eradication, with senior officers appointed in Southern districts of KP to combat the virus’s spread.
KP government has launched anti-polio drives in Peshawar, Malakand, Hazara, Mardan and Kohat.
Authorities said that more than seven million children up to five years of age are being inoculated during this phase of vaccination drive.
They said that the second phase of the anti-polio campaign will begin from next Monday in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions.
