Staff Reporter: QUETTA:
In a concerning development, Balochistan reported a fresh polio case on Saturday. Sources in the Balochistan health department said the polio case was confirmed in the Zhob district of the province.
They said an eighteen month old child was tested positive for the crippling virus. This is the seventh polio case confirmed in Balochistan, they said.
The Balochistan government has declared an emergency to eradicate the crippling virus. Nevertheless, polio case are on the rise.
Pakistan has reported nine polio cases in 2024, with Balochistan province most affected. Seven cases were reported in Balochistan, including Dera Bugti, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Kech, and Zhob. Sindh province reported the remaining two cases, one each from Karachi and Shikarpur.
Pakistan has been working for decades to eradicate polio, but these new cases highlight the ongoing challenges. Health officials urge parents to vaccinate their children. Polio is a crippling disease, and vaccination is the most effective preventive measure.
