Pakistan has reported its 16th polio case of the year, with the poliovirus confirmed in a 29-month-old girl in Hyderabad. According to Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for the Anti-Polio Program, the virus has been present in Hyderabad for the past four months.
Farooq emphasized, “The presence of poliovirus anywhere poses a threat to every child.”
Anwarul Haque, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center, noted that the virus has been circulating in Hyderabad and Karachi for several months. In response, an anti-polio campaign will be launched starting September 9 to boost children’s immunity.
Haque urged parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine and mentioned ongoing consultations with provincial authorities to develop a comprehensive strategy.
