- Wild poliovirus detected in boy from DI Khan.
- Polio virus circumstances tally rises to 10 in KP.
- Genetic sequencing of pattern underway.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan encountered one other setback in its battle in opposition to polio as a brand new case of paralysis was confirmed in a toddler from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s District Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan), The Information reported on Sunday.
This newest case raises the full variety of Wild Poliovirus Sort-1 (WPV1) circumstances within the nation to 48 this 12 months, and 10 within the north-western province.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication on the Nationwide Institute of Well being (NIH) in Islamabad confirmed the an infection on Saturday, noting the boy from DI Khan, an space nonetheless battling persistent polio transmission.
Genetic sequencing of samples collected from the kid is at present underway to hint transmission patterns and assist focused vaccination drives.
This case follows one other detection earlier this week, on Friday, in Sindh’s Ghotki district. The Ghotki an infection marked the district’s first reported case this 12 months, underscoring the virus’s unfold to new areas.
Balochistan has recorded the very best variety of circumstances with 23, adopted by Sindh with 13, 10 from KP, and one every from Punjab and Islamabad.
Pakistan stays one in all solely two international locations the place wild poliovirus transmission has not but been eradicated.
The continued unfold is attributed to challenges akin to insecurity, misinformation, and neighborhood resistance, which complicate vaccination campaigns.
With Pakistan being one in all two polio endemic international locations, well being officers urge dad and mom to actively take part in polio vaccination campaigns regularly performed by the federal government.
Polio is a extremely infectious illness attributable to a virus primarily affecting kids underneath the age of 5 years, who’re malnourished or have weak immunity on account of being under-vaccinated or not vaccinated for polio and different childhood illnesses.
The sickness invades the nervous system and causes paralysis and even demise.
Whereas there is no such thing as a remedy for polio, officers stress that immunisation is the simplest defence in opposition to this virus.