139 polio cases reported in Pakistan

KARACHI: The Emergency Operation Centre for Polio (EOC) in Sindh recently confirmed two additional polio cases taking the total case toll for Sindh in 2019 to 27 and Pakistan to 139.

Spokesperson, EOC Sindh, said an 8-year-old boy from Kambar, UC Kambar 3, tested positive for the poliovirus. Hailing from a family of farmers, reports suggest that the child received no routine immunization, but the child’s parents claim that he received seven doses of the polio vaccine.

It may be noted that the child had already expired owing to non-polio related symptoms, and the case was recognized via a contact sample.

The second polio case has been reported from Dadu, where a 2-year-old boy in UC Drigh Bala. The child tested positive for the poliovirus after he reported with weakness in his facial muscles. The victim’s father is a laborer, and according to the parents’ claims, the child had received more than seven doses of the polio vaccine. Investigations on both the children’s vaccination status are ongoing.

The spokesperson further noted that another case was reported from Sindh in 2020, taking the total case toll in the country to 4 for the current year.

The 3-year-old male child hails from district Sajawal, UC Koti, with signs of weakness in his right lower limb. According to the child’s parents, he reviewed more than 7doses of the polio vaccine.

-MN Report