Pakistan Polio cases in 2013 surpass 2012 total

According to reports, the number of polio infections in Pakistan during the current year has surpassed the previous year’s tally, indicating an increase in the crippling disease.

Unfortunately, Pakistan is one of the only remaining countries in the world where polio is still endemic.

Health officials have cited the resistance of militant groups and security issues in the country which have prevented wide-spread vaccination programs.

“Last year there were a total of 58 cases, but 62 fresh victims of polio have already been reported in 2013,” reported a government official.

As per the breakdown, Punjab saw six cases, Sindh had four and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported nine. However, the remaining 43 instances were reported in the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.

Pakistan was able to decrease the number of polio infections to 28 in 2005, but instability and the ban imposed by the Pakistani Taliban saw the number climb to 198 in 2011.

“The main reason for the outbreak is militancy in the northwest. Vaccination teams are unable to reach the tribal areas because of risks to their lives,” shared the government official.

. It is estimated that over 240,000 children were not vaccinated due to Taliban’s resistance, which puts all these children at risk of infection.

-Image courtesy: tribune.com.pk

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=42154

Posted by Ahmad Mehdi on Nov 13 2013. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.