On Saturday, the Ministry of Health announced the detection of the fifth polio case within the current year. The affected individual, a 31-month-old child, received a polio diagnosis in Karachi’s Eastern district, as revealed by the ministry’s spokesperson.

With this recent case, the tally of polio cases in Pakistan for the year has risen to five. Notably, the child in question hails from Union Council Gujru, the same location as the fourth reported case this year.

Also Read: Rising Polio Numbers Raise Concern Among Health Authorities

The spokesperson emphasized the opportunistic nature of the poliovirus, underscoring its heightened threat to children with compromised immunity. This risk is particularly pronounced in areas characterized by inadequate health facilities, poor nutrition, substandard sanitation systems, and low vaccination rates. Collaborative efforts with partners in the battle against polio are underway, the spokesperson assured.

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, he stated that the government is implementing essential measures on an emergency basis to combat polio. A robust polio campaign is slated for deployment in high-risk areas where the virus is prevalent. The spokesperson emphasized the pivotal role that both mainstream and social media should play in contributing to the eradication of polio from the country.