Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: Two new cases of polio have emerged this week in the Bermel district of the eastern Paktika province, ministry of public health said Monday.
“This brings the total number of children paralyzed by polio in the district to 6 and in Afghanistan to 12 this year,” it said in a statement.
It added the ministry along with international healthcare organizations would respond urgently to prevent more children from being paralyzed. These steps include a large campaign in the province from November 14 to 18 and increased surveillance.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of two children have been paralyzed by polio. The government has made significant strides to stop this paralyzing disease. The main priority now is to rapidly immunize all children in the province and ensure that no other children succumb to this terrible disease,” said public health minister Ferozuddin Feroz.
It is necessary that all children in Paktika, particularly children of families recently returned from Pakistan, get their children vaccinated. The polio vaccine is safe and effective and the only way to prevent the polio disease, the statement said.
