More polio cases recorded in Nangarhar this year

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday said that polio cases had declined in the country generally, but they had increased in eastern Nangarhar province.

On the first day of the polio vaccination campaign in Nangarhar, the general director of the preventive medicine at the ministry, Dr. Najibullah Safi, said 19 polio cases HAD been registered across the country this year.

Last year, 28 polio cases were detected in Afghanistan, but in 2015, the number fell to 19. However, the cases rose from six to eight in Nangarhar this year, the official added.

The main reasons behind polio incidence are insecurity and regular travel of people to Pakistan, he claimed, explaining eight cases were registered in Nangarhar, four in Farah, two in Kunar, as many in Helmand and one each in Nimroz, Herat and Faryab.

For the successful implementation of the vaccination drive, the governor’s office has reached an agreement with local authorities, Governor Saleem Khan Kunduzi said, adding six of the eight cases were detected in Shinwari districts.

Polio vaccine would be administered to 627,000 children during the campaign, Deputy Director of Public Health Dr. MuqadasaMeraj said.

Meanwhile, the director of hajj not to prevent the vaccination campaign in remote parts of the province.

myn/mud