The National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad has confirmed polio virus in two children aged 30 and 23 months respectively. The 30-months-old female child belongs to Sarai Norang, Tehsil of District Lakki Marwat and 23-months-old male child is from Tehsil Jadba of district Torgher as the total number of cases mounts to 48 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The clinical history of these two polio cases shows that both new polio victims were zero doze for essential immunization and their status of SIAs is under investigation.

In response to the reporting of new polio cases in the province, EOC Khyber Pakhtunkhwa coordinator Abdul Basit said virus is circulating in environment particularly in Bannu and Hazara divisions that can hit any unvaccinated or immune-compromised child. He said the only viable solution of the problem is to vaccinate the child in every campaign as only repeated doses can protect the child from permanent disability and stop virus circulation in the environment.

EOC coordinator urged upon the parents not to pay attention to negative propagandas and rumours adding that polio vaccine was completely safe and doe's not cause any harm upon administration. It is relevant to mention here that the national polio case count stands at 64 out of which 48 are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2019 so far.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019