ISLAMABAD - Two new cases of polio surfaced in Karachi on Wednesday when children were tested positive for the virus taking the total count this year to 47.
The virus was found in eight-month and 18-month-old children belonging to Baldia Town of Karachi.
One of the children contracted the virus despite getting multiple doses of polio vaccine, however, the other one was paralysed because his parents refused to get him vaccinated.
Baldia Town is one of the high-risk areas of Karachi. Other high-risk localities include Gulberg, Korangi, Kimari from where cases have continuously been emerging because of rampant virus circulation.
Parts of Karachi have been termed virus taps and the quality of campaigns in Karachi has not been up to the mark due to non-provision of security to vaccination teams that poses a serious threat to the people of the area with chances of transmission of virus to other parts of the country as well.
Officials say they have chalked out a special action plan for 30 union councils of Karachi that involve security measures, accountability, extensive supervision and permanent involvement of volunteers and community leaders of the area to check the virus circulation.
National Coordinator of Emergency Operation Centre Dr Rana Safdar said a vaccination drive was going to be held in Karachi from November 9 and six nationwide campaigns would be held from December to May 2016 which would be a decisive period for the success of Pakistan’s polio programme.
According to national emergency action plan, Pakistan is expected to end polio virus circulation in the country by May 2016.
So far Sindh has reported 11 cases, KP 15, Fata 14, Balochistan 6, and Punjab 1 in the current year. In 2014, the country had reported 306 cases.