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For the first time in 14 years, the number of polio cases in Pakistan surged past 200. By the end of December 2014, the country was hanging perilously close to another dreaded number: 300. Despite regulations by WHO and a 'polio emergency' being declared by the government, the number of cases continued to multiply and according to numbers on 31 December, Pakistan's polio cases had reached 296 as reported by End Polio Pakistan.
Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world where polio remains endemic but efforts to eradicate the disease have been severely hindered in recent years as militants continue to attack immunisation teams and polio workers.
Polio cases in Pakistan reached a low of 28 in 2005 but rose to 198 in 2011. In 2012, Pakistan had 58 cases, while 93 were recorded in 2013, as reported by End Polio Pakistan.
Militants allege polio vaccination is a cover for espionage or Western-conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.
Zoom in on the map to see a break down of number of polio cases in Pakistan along with the number of workers killed.
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Source: End Polio Pakistan. ( Map shows data of polio workers killed in 2014)
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A survey conducted by the district government reveals that 241 children could not be administered polio drops during polio campaigns in the district. The survey was conducted through the secretaries of 117 union councils (UCs) of the district.
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In their struggle to protect children from the crippling disease, female immunisation workers have faced the brunt of attacks aimed at polio teams in Balochistan. Threats and intimidation have been a constant in their lives and the recent killings of polio workers in the southwestern province have invoked a deep sense of insecurity among the female volunteers and lady health workers.
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COMNet provides the infrastructure and human resources necessary for large scale communication and social mobilisation interventions aimed at polio eradication throughout the country.
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`High risk areas in each province
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Comments (6) Closed
one will be surprised that in North America and USA diseases like TB, measles and mumps are still around,
@rana1 and how many of the medical workers tending to these diseases have been bumped off in North America?
it is a national tragedy that government was not serious about this out break. This is nothing short of a national disaster and no saner element in the government is worried about this calamity..May God Save the poor kids
Very interesting and engaging presentation, sadly marred by factual and notational errors. Please have these corrected.
Thank you for sharing such an informative peace. However, few things needed rectification such as, greater than sign (>) is used instead of (
When will superstition and wrong information will go from the public. It is a calamity. A meaningful effort in dissemination of information is possible only if militancy is under control. It looks that that is the key to Pakistan.