[ad_1]
PHOTO: AFP / FILE
ISLAMABAD: The fight against polio is facing another setback, with the polio eradication program in Pakistan having detected poliovirus in wastewater in 10 cities in the past month. According to the results reported by the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), extensive environmental monitoring has detected the presence of poliovirus in wastewater samples collected in Faisalabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Killa Abdullah. , Quetta, Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar and South Waziristan in January.
Given the badociated risks, the country program urged parents to ensure immunization of all children under five during polio campaigns.
"The eradication of polio is a delicate race in time between us (parents and health care workers) and a deadly poliovirus. We must collectively ensure that all children are vaccinated with multiple doses before the virus reaches unprotected children, "said CNEO coordinator Rana Safdar.
At first, we will give drops of poliomyelitis to children under 10 years
He added that the winter months offer the best chance of fighting the disease because it is the advantage of being the low season of transmission. "The program focuses on children who do not get vaccinated for any reason and do not let the virus survive," said Dr. Safdar.
Pakistan has already had confirmed cases of the virus at the beginning of the year. A 3-month-old baby in Hangu was paralyzed by poliovirus in South Waziristan wastewater, while another infant contracted it in Lahore.
"It reminds everyone that the presence of poliovirus in the wastewater of these cities can lead to paralysis for life, especially if the child is not vaccinated several times, in the same city or in a city. remote because of frequent population movements. I can not stress enough the crucial importance of ensuring that every child is vaccinated, "said Babar Atta, the Prime Minister's contact person for polio eradication.
[ad_2]
Source link