Swat reports its first polio case in five years

Monday's second polio case reported from Sheikhupura in Sindh, raising national tally to 262 cases

PESHAWAR: The first polio case in five years from the scenic Swat valley was confirmed on Monday, which, along with a fresh case from Sindh, raised the national tally to 262.

According to an official of the ministry of health, the cases were confirmed after being tested for polio virus at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

The victim was identified as 21 month-old Abu Takha, son of Noor Muhammad from UC Khwaza Khela of Tarogay Village in the Swat Valley.

The second polio case confirmed on Monday was that of Sumaira, daughter of Qadir Bux, from UC Humayon in Hadi Bux Bakhrani, Sheikhupura.

Anti-polio vaccine could not be administered to Sumaira, as her parents refused drops for their child.

The two cases raise the total number of cases reported in Pakistan this year to 262. These include 163 from Fata,  55 from K-P, 27 from Sindh, three from Punjab and 14 from Balochistan.

Polio campaign kicks off in South Waziristan

A polio drive kicked off in Wana, South Waziristan on Monday. Vaccination facilities were set up at basic health centres and mosques, while polio workers also carried out a door-to-door campaign.

Around 201 mobile teams escorted by security personnel took part in the drive.

For the last 18 months, children in most parts of Waziristan were deprived of the polio vaccine due to a ban imposed by the Taliban.

The campaign aims to administer polio drops to around 76,000 children below five years of age. The campaign is majorly focussing on those areas where Taliban's Mullah Nazir faction had banned vaccinations since June 2012.