Afghan family who refused polio drops to newborn in Karachi, contracts polio virus

Afghan family who refused polio drops to newborn in Karachi, contracts polio virus

KARACHI: In one of the most disappointing development a family living in Karachi has been reported to be the victim of the Polio Virus, it has been confirmed by the competent doctors.

Seven-month old baby, belonging to an Afghan family residing in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of the city, has contracted the polio virus. The child belongs to an Afghan family hailing from Tora Bora. This is a first polio case in Karachi since January 2016.

Sindh’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for Polio has expressed disappointment over the fact. The officials expressed sorrow that the child had contracted the disease; they said his family refused him polio vaccines on multiples occasions, if they would have allowed him vaccines then the child could have been saved from the crippling disease.

The EOC requested the parents for regular polio vaccines for the protection of their children’s future and health. It said that polio can only be eradicated if parents, too, cooperate with the authorities.