ISLAMABAD: Three new cases of polio have been found in Fata.

Although 2011 has been declared by the president as the ‘Emergency Year for Polio Eradication’, reports suggest a somewhat worsening of the situation in the first two months of the year, compared to the same period last year.

With the three fresh cases in Fata, the number of people found afflicted with the disease stood at 11.

An official said that 10 cases had been found by Feb 28 last year.

He said that health officials were expressing concern over emergence of polio cases in the low-transmission season of January to April when the virus was usually not active.

“The three new cases of type 1 polio have been reported from conflict-hit areas. Two are from Khyber Agency and one from FR Kohat,” said an official.