First polio case reported in Islamabad after a decade

For the first time in 16 years, Islamabad has reported its first polio case, local media reported Friday.

The case was reported in Union Council number 4 of the federal capital, denting Pakistan’s effort to erase polio from the country.

The virus has been detected in 17 children this year across Pakistan.

The development was also confirmed by a health official Ayesha Raza Farooq, raising alarms about the resurgence of the virus in the capital after more than a decade.

“We are intensifying efforts to reach every child with the polio vaccine,” said Anwar-ul-Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center.

Health authorities are ramping up immunization drives to prevent further cases, as the polio virus continues to pose a threat to the nation’s children.