Poliovirus exists in Afghanistan, we need to be vigilant: Ehsan Shah
Health Desk :
QUETTA: Health Minister Balochistan, Syed Ehsan Shah on Friday informed the poliovirus was present in neighboring Afghanistan, therefore, the health officials have to adopt precautionary measures to make sure to administer anti-polio drop to each child. “The virus can travel via Pak-Afghan border Chaman into Pakistan”, the Minister told an inaugural ceremony regarding the launching of the anti-polio campaign.
Hameedullah Nasar, the Chief of Emergency Operation Cell (EOC), Shahpur Suleman from UNICEF and others were also present on the occasion. An anti-polio campaign would be launched in Balochistan from December 13 (Monday). Over 2.3 million children under the age of five years would be administered anti-polio drops during the campaign.
“Poliovirus not found in environmental samples currently”, Mr. Shah
“Poliovirus not found in environmental samples currently”, Mr. Shah mentioned. He said this was encouraging since the government’s strategy was effective in the eradication of the crippling virus. Balochistan has so far reported one polio case from the Killa Abdullah district. This is the only case reported across Pakistan in 2021.
The Minister urged the parents, teachers, religious scholars, media, politicians, and people belonging to all walks of life to play their due role in the success of the campaign. “Only then we can eradicate the crippling virus”, the Minister concluded.
