The polio virus continues to spread in Afghanistan; the fifth Case has also been recorded in Nangarhar
Kabul, Afghanistan (June 18, 2023) – With the start of warm weather, the spread of the polio virus has accelerated in Afghanistan, and a new case of the disease has recently been recorded in Nangarhar.
This new case of polio was reported from Dur Baba District of this province, and the affected child is a 6 year old girl.
Kamal Shah Sayed, the Communication Specialist of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Polio Eradication programme, states that summer is a conducive season for the transmission of the polio virus in children. There has been a surge in polio cases in Afghanistan.
He added that, unfortunately, another case of polio has been recorded in the Dur Baba District of Nangarhar, located in the eastern zone of the country. With this new case, the total number of polio cases has increased to five in the current year of 2023.
He says that the child infected with polio is a six year old girl and has paralysis for the rest of her life.
He said, “It is sad that children in Afghanistan are still suffering from polio. The only way to protect them from polio is to ensure that all children are vaccinated during every campaign in order to boost their immunity levels.”
Sayed urged parents and guardians of families to ensure regular vaccination for all their children in order to safeguard them against polio.
In the year 2023, thus far, a total of five cases of polio have been reported in the country, all of which are located in Nangarhar province.
The first incident was recorded in Bati Kot, the second in Kot, the third in Nazian, the fourth in Behsud, and the fifth in the Dur Baba district.
Some time ago, the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan stated that the high incidence of polio in the eastern zone of the country is primarily attributed to low levels of healthcare and hygiene, which are consequences of poverty and other factors.
They called upon the relevant institutions and cooperating agencies to collaborate on enhancing the level of healthcare and hygiene for the population, in addition to the ongoing vaccination program.
On a separate note, the officials of the polio eradication program expressed their dedication to intensify supervision in the eastern zone, among other measures, and ensure that all children receive the polio vaccine.
They stated that apart from general and sub-campaigns, specific polio response campaigns will also be implemented in the mentioned area to swiftly curb the spread of the virus.
