Pakistan is witnessing an alarming rise in the spread of the poliovirus, with a new case confirmed in Zhob district, Balochistan. This latest report brings the total number of polio cases in the country to nine.
The virus was confirmed in samples taken from a one-and-a-half-year-old child from Union Council Hasanzai Urban 2, who showed signs of disability on June 28, according to the Ministry of Health. Genetic testing of the virus is currently ongoing.
"Poliovirus has infected nine children so far," said the Prime Minister's Coordinator for Health, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath. Seven out of these nine cases have been reported from Balochistan, which is particularly concerning for health officials.
"The return of polio in the affected area is worrisome," Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath noted.
Ayesha Raza, the focal person for the anti-polio campaign, highlighted that the presence of the poliovirus in more than 50 districts poses a continuous threat to children, especially those with weakened immunity due to lack of vaccination.
"The most effective way to protect children against polio is multiple doses of the polio vaccine," emphasized Ayesha Raza, urging for increased vaccination efforts.