Four new polio cases have emerged in Pakistan yesterday, bringing the total number of countrywide children affected by this crippling illness to 88 this year.
According to the National Health Department, each polio case has been confirmed in Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu and Miranshah.
Earlier on Friday, the deadly virus was detected in a one-year-old child namely Murad in Landhi area of Karachi, bringing the toll in the city to 7 this year.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children. It can lead to paralysis and death. The virus is easily preventable through immunization, but there is no cure once it is contracted.
Pakistan is one of only three countries, along with Afghanistan and Nigeria, where polio remains endemic, and efforts to eradicate it have been badly hit by rumours about the vaccine.
