Pakistan confirms its first polio case in 2019

Pakistan on Saturday announced its first polio case in 2019 in the northwestern tribal district of Bajaur, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on the border with Afghanistan, an official said.
"Today, the first polio case of the current year has been reported in Bajaur district where the paralyzing virus paralyzed an 11 – month – old child," Anadolu told the agency. Babar Atta, head of the polio eradication program in Pakistan.
Six polio cases have been reported in Bajaur during the last three months.
In several other major cities, including Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Peshawar and Faisalabad, the polio virus is actively circulating in wastewater, posing a significant risk to our children, said Atta.
Pakistan is one of three countries in the world, including Afghanistan and Nigeria, where the polio virus still exists and where the country is subject to a polio-related travel restriction imposed by the Organization. World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2014, WHO forced all people traveling from Pakistan to bring a polio vaccination certificate.
Armed badailants from militant groups have frequently targeted polio vaccinators and their security agents in several parts of Pakistan. The groups see that anti-polio campaigns are part of a complex anti-Muslim and Western conspiracy and often threaten life-threatening vaccinators, many of whom are women, for the administration of essential vaccines intended for children.
In April 2016, badailants shot dead seven police officers to ensure the safety of polio vaccinators in the southern port city of Karachi.
According to Pakistani officials, about 88 people badociated with the operation have been killed in Pakistan since December 2012.