Polio case reported in Balochistan
Health Desk :
A polio case reported from Balochistan‘s Killa Saifullah district on Thursday. Sources in the health department confirmed a one-year-old kid tested positive for the poliovirus in Killa Saifullah district of the province. Health officials had collected samples of the kid a few days back. “The kid contracted the crippling virus”, a health official informed.
The number of polio cases reached 19 during the current year in Balochistan. However, Killa Saifullah district has reported its first case of the year.
Quetta, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Zhob, Jhal Magsi, Chaghi, and Killa Saifullah districts of Balochistan have reported cases of the crippling virus so far. However, Quetta, Pishin and Killa Abdullah districts have been declared sensitive regarding the poliovirus. Poor strategy coupled with chronic refusals appears to be the underlying reason behind the increasing case of poliovirus in Balochistan.
“Most of the chronic refusals are in Quetta, Pishin and Killa Abdullah”, an official of the Emergency Operation Cell (EOC) said. The official requested anonymity. Balochistan health department, EOC and UNICEF have formed committees comprising famous religious scholars to convince the parents refusing to provide polio drops to their children.
Polio affects children under the age of five
Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, his/her protection against the virus is increased.
The Polio campaign remains suspended after COVID19
Anti polio campaign resumed in late July this year after a break of four months in 10 union councils of Quetta to eradicate the poliovirus. The polio campaign remained suspended for four months in the aftermath of the global outbreak of the COVID19.
Despite three-decades of anti-polio campaigns, the crippling virus is yet to be eradicated from Pakistan. Cases of the virus continue to increase in Balochistan recently despite repeated claims of the concerned quarters about the virus eradication.
