KARACHI: A second case of polio has been confirmed in the provincial metropolis within a span of three months, the latest victim being a five-month-old infant who has been diagnosed with the virus.
Five-month-old boy Zaibullah, son of Ghulam Sakhi, a resident of UC-4 Gadap Town, had been administered with anti-polio drops during a past campaign. However, his routine immunisation had not been completed, officials said.
Just over three months ago, the metropolis reported its first polio case after staying polio-free for 18 months – an alarming recurrence despite the efforts that were being made to eradicate the crippling disease from the country.
In September, seven-month-old Qasim, a resident of Village Sher Khan/Madina Colony in UC-13 Gulshan, had become the victim of polio. The infant’s grandfather had reportedly refused the administration of polio drops when the child was born.
In all, six cases of polio have so far been reported in the country during the current year which had become a cause of concern among anti-polio groups engaged in efforts to defeat the crippling disease.
Three years ago, Karachi was known to be among the most polio-affected cities in the world, with as many as 23 new cases being reported annually. This is the first time in 18 months that polio had raised its head in the port city again.