Pakistan has recorded a new case of poliovirus in the North Waziristan district, taking this year’s overall tally to 14.
The Pakistan Polio Laboratory said that the eight-month-old girl, who is the fresh victim, had onset of paralysis on June 30.
According to the health ministry, all the 14 cases were reported in children under two years of age.
Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five years. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death.
Anti-polio campaigns have proven to be successful across the world, with over 99 per cent of the world now polio-free. However, Pakistan and Afghanistan are still polio-endemic and they have reported 15 cases, with one being registered in the war-torn country.
The ministry said that the national emergency operations centres of the two countries are continuing cross-border coordination efforts.
“The countries have synchronised two polio campaigns in May and June and are ensuring vaccination of children under 10 years of age on all major transit points, along with vaccinating all ages at the international borders,” it added.
Last month, Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel had asked the people to ensure the administration of anti-polio drops to their children.
