A major setback to anti-polio efforts; 2 polio cases confirmed in Balochistan within 24 hours

In a major setback to the ongoing anti-polio efforts in the country; two polio cases were confirmed in Balochistan within 24 hours.

The second case of the crippling disease of polio was reported in Chaman’s Mir Ali Zai area on Friday.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed the second case of polio in a four-and-a-half-year-old child hailing from the Chaman area of Balochistan.

As reported, the polio case was confirmed after tests after the child, suddenly collapsed on February 29, while playing.

The child was taken to the hospital where medical tests turned positive for polio virus.

On March 14, the first polio virus case was confirmed in a two-and-a-half-year-old child in Dera Bugti, the first in Balochistan province in three years.

The child had Symptoms of fever and weakness initially while comprehensive medical evaluations on February 22 confirmed the polio virus.

Earlier on Thursday, a spokesman for the National Ministry for Health said that the polio-affected child belonged to Union Council No. 3 UC of Sui, Dera Bugti.

On February 26, a week-long nationwide anti-polio drive kicked off in the country to administer vaccine drops to children under five years of age.

As reported, over 45.8 million children below the age of five were vaccinated during the second anti-polio campaign of this year.

Last year Pakistan reported six polio cases.