File Photo: A child being administered anti polio drops in Quetta: Photo Quetta Voice

Balochistan reports 24th polio case of 2020

Health Desk:

Balochistan has reported the 24th polio case of 2020 on Saturday. A 10-month old minor girl tested positive for the crippling virus. Sources in the Balochistan health department said the minor girl belongs to a chronic refusal family in Quetta’s Chiltan town area.

The health department had collected the samples of the girl on November 11 and 12 for a laboratory test. The test confirmed the minor had contracted the crippling virus. With the confirmation of fresh polio cases, the number of cases of the crippling virus reached 24 in Balochistan.

Environmental samples warn of the existence of poliovirus 

Most of the cases of the crippling virus reported from Quetta, Pishin, and Killa Abdullah this year. Most of the chronic refusals also draw from the three districts. Rashid Razzaq, the Chief of the Emergency Operation Cell (EOC) Balochistan earlier this year warned of the existence of poliovirus in the three districts as per environmental samples. Environmental samples were collected in the three districts.

Despite three-decades of anti-polio campaigns, the virus continues to penetrate in various districts of Balochistan. This year, Balochistan has reported 24 cases of the crippling virus. Although, the Balochistan government has imposed an emergency to tackle the poliovirus. However, the authorities are yet to eradicate the crippling virus.

Chronic refusals in 2015 recorded 4,443 in Quetta, Killa Abdullah and Pishin

The number of refusals in Quetta, Pishin, and Killa Abdullah was recorded at 4,443 during 2015. The then EOC Chief Syed Saif ur Rehman had expedited the formation of committees comprising religious scholars, teachers to convince the parents refusing polio drops for their children.

Balochistan reports 24th polio case of 2020

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Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.