Polio Case Reported in Karachi; Health Officials take Charge

KARACHI- After a span of 11 months, the city of Karachi witnessed its first Polio case, alarming the health authorities of the city, who are still unclear regarding the return of the crippling virus.

A 42-month-old girl Salama D/o of Gul Ahmed, residing in Union Council-4 Gadap, contracted polio virus. The National Institute of Health, Islamabad, confirmed the samples that came out positive for polio.

This is the first case reported from Sindh in 2018 and sixth in the country, out of which 03 cases were from Balochistan and 02 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Coordinator, Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for Polio in Sindh, Mr. Fayaz Jatoi confirmed that, the stool sample of Salma tested positive for polio virus. After which, the child received 3 doses of OPV in Routine Immunization and 7+ doses of polio vaccine during campaigns, due to which the child is no longer affected by the virus and has been saved from being disabled, he added.

He added that, the environment samples are coming positive from time to time and vaccination is the only way to prevent disability, and this case clearly shows that vaccines do work. He also explained that, initially the child developed hip pain, but she has fully recovered and is doing well.

Upon investigation, it was revealed that the child and family had a history of travelling back and forth to Quetta, which could be a reason behind the contraction of the virus.

Furthermore, Mr. Fayaz Jatoi stated that, “We will continue our vaccination efforts to control and defeat this virus. We have come a long way from 2014, but we need not to rest and keep vaccinating.”

He also added that children should not be disabled due to a disease that is easily preventable now. He urged the parents to vaccinate their children at every vaccination campaign,  to ensure a healthy future for them.