The polio infection reported in children in many countries of the world has been a cause of concern for health experts. Some new cases of this have been reported in neighboring country Pakistan. Officials informed on Sunday that four new cases of polio have been confirmed recently in Sindh province, with this the total number of polio cases in Pakistan this year has increased to 39. According to the report of the local newspaper Dawn, nearby cities have been alerted given the new cases of polio.
Despite global efforts to eradicate polio, cases of poliovirus infection have been reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Officials say that polio cases have been reported more in rural areas of Pakistan. In the last ten months, 20 cases of poliovirus have been reported in Pakistan from Balochistan, 12 from Sindh, five from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
After new cases of polio were reported in Pakistan, all people have been advised to remain cautious to prevent infection. It is worth noting that there is a risk of this virus spreading rapidly. The infected may be at risk of disability and many types of physical complications.
The risk of polio
According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the two countries in the world where polio remains endemic. Earlier in July-August 2022 also, cases of polio have been reported in Pakistan. Polio cases have raised the concern of scientists and health experts. While most countries in the world are moving towards freedom from this virus, this outbreak has disrupted polio eradication campaigns.
Why polio cases have been reported in Pakistan
If we look at the data of the last few years, it is known that cases of poliovirus have been coming up every year in Pakistan. Officials say that this outbreak is being seen due to children not getting polio drops or not bringing them forward for polio drops during polio prevention campaigns for many reasons. Due to illiteracy and lack of awareness, parents avoid giving polio drops to their children.
In a British newspaper report, an official associated with Pakistan's polio eradication program said that illiteracy is still taking a toll on polio drops in Pakistan. Here, children are shown to have received the drops by putting a fake mark on their finger. In this way, mistakes in vaccination are becoming a big obstacle in the polio eradication program's efforts to make the country polio-free.
India has become polio-free.
India has got rid of polio through its tireless efforts and comprehensive vaccination program. The last case of infection was reported in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To increase immunity against this disease, the Government of India provides free oral polio vaccine to children below 5 years of age.
There was a severe polio outbreak in India in the 1970s-90s. In the 90s, polio cases in India were more than 60% of the total cases in the world. However, after the Pulse Polio Vaccination Program was started in the country on 2 October 1994, it improved rapidly.
Know about polio infection.
Polio disease is caused by a virus called poliomyelitis. This virus is found in the throat and intestines of the infected. The risk of its infection is highest due to contact with the feces of an infected person, it can also cause infection in another person through droplets coming out of sneeze or coughing. About 70 percent of its cases are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.
In severe cases of poliovirus infection, it can also affect the spinal cord and brain, due to which there is a risk of paralysis in the infected.
(PC: Adobe stock)
