KARACHI: Another case of polio has been reported in Pakistan this year, bringing the total number of cases to 17. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirmed the presence of the polio virus in a child from Union Council 4 in Islamabad. This marks the first reported case of polio in the federal capital in approximately 16 years.
The NIH also indicated that environmental samples collected in June from Islamabad and Rawalpindi tested positive for the polio virus.
In response to the development, Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication, expressed concern over the new case. She emphasized that the government has developed a comprehensive strategy to halt the spread of polio.
Anwar ul Haque, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center, assured that efforts are being intensified to ensure that every child receives the polio vaccine.