Two more polio cases emerge in K-P

Total number of patients of the crippling virus in the country rises to 19

PESHAWAR: Two more polio cases have been reported from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), taking the total number of such cases to 19 so far during the year.

The National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad has confirmed the development.

According to details, a 12-year-old girl from Dera Ismail Khan and a 17-month-old child from North Waziristan have been diagnosed with the crippling virus.

Samples obtained from the 12-year-old girl from Paharpur tehsil of DI Khan were sent to NIH for testing on May 13.

It is being said that the girl was fine. After developing fever, the girl complained of pain in her legs. Her parents took her to District Headquarter Hospital, DI Khan, where doctors referred her to Islamabad.

According to sources, the girl was admitted to PIMS Hospital in Islamabad where pain in her legs worsened, her muscles also started showing signs of weakness and she had difficulty breathing.



Due to her worsening condition, she was put on a ventilator while different tests were also conducted.

It is also being said that the girl took only three doses of vaccine during the routine immunisation campaign. Further tests are being conducted.

Separately, samples of a 17-month-old infant girl from Mir Ali, North Waziristan were sent to the NIH Islamabad on May 6. The father of the girl said that he took his daughter to the doctor after she had developed fever where it was determined that her right side was affected by hemiplegia. The girl was referred to Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar.

After her first test at the hospital, the doctor declared her case an AFP one.

It is being said that the girl was not administered anti-polio drops during the routine immunisation campaign while her record regarding special campaigns is also being checked. Further tests are being conducted.

Sources said after these new cases, the total number of polio patients in the country has reached 19 of which 13 cases are in K-P -- four in North Waziristan, five Bannu, and one each in Hangu, Bajaur, Khyber and DI Khan.

While three cases each in Sindh and Punjab have been reported so far during the ongoing year.