Crippling virus: New polio case emerges in Quetta
PHOTO: AFP
A new case of crippling polio virus was detected in a 36-month-old boy in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, on Tuesday, bringing the total reported cases within the province to six and the nationwide total to 34.
According to Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Balochistan, the virus was detected in the three-year-old identified as Naqeebullah, son of Haji Sattar, resident of Killi Barakzai in Eastern Bypass, Quetta. “The child received seven doses of anti-polio vaccine,” EOC Balochistan spokesperson said.
It was the fourth reported case of polio virus in Quetta (sixth in Balochistan) during the year of 2015. Earlier, one case each was reported in Loralai, Killa Abdullah and three in Quetta.
A three-day anti polio drive was launched in Balochistan mid-September while the next campaign will start mid-October. “Coverage has improved through the last campaign and we will continue with our utmost efforts to improve the situation,” the EOC spokesperson stated.
A joint investigation has been launched into the new case.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 30th, 2015.