Another polio case confirmed in Balochistan

Published March 16, 2015
The number of polio cases has reached three in Balochistan as per official statistics. However, according to independent sources, the number reached four so far in 2015. - AP/File
The number of polio cases has reached three in Balochistan as per official statistics. However, according to independent sources, the number reached four so far in 2015. - AP/File

QUETTA: Another polio virus case was reported in Balochistan on Monday, the confirmation emerging as a scheduled anti-polio drive was postponed in Quetta owing to security concerns.

The virus was found in three-month-old Abdul Rehman from Quetta's Pashtoonabad area, a senior officer of the Emergency Operation Cell Balochistan told DawnNews on condition of anonymity.

Pashtoonabad, a suburb in Quetta, also houses a large number of Afghan refugees.

The senior officer claimed the affected child had received six dozes of polio drops. "It is the first polio virus case in Quetta," he added.

The number of polio cases has reached three in Balochistan as per official statistics. However, according to independent sources, the number reached four so far in 2015.

The anti-polio campaign was scheduled to be launched in Quetta and 29 districts of Balochistan starting today. However, the drive was postponed because of security concerns in Quetta.

Dr Shah Jahan, the District Health Officer (DHO) Quetta told DawnNews that majority of the policemen were deployed at the ongoing Balochistan Sports Festival and required security could not be provided to polio teams.

"We need security for our teams," he said.

According to sources in the health department, polio drops were being administered to 2.4 million children below the age of five in 29 districts. Dr Shah Jahan informed that 400,000 children would be administered polio drops during the anti polio campaign in Quetta.

"We may launch the campaign in first week of April," he said.

Balochistan government has already declared emergency to eradicate the crippling virus from the province. The government has also tightened security for all polio teams across the province.

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