AVA - Nangarhar: Fourth poliovirus case reported

A new polio case in Behsud district of Nangarhar province was reported, bringing the total number of polio cases to four in the county in 2023.The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced.

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA)_Monitoring, The case is a 48-month-old male child who had the onset of paralysis on 16 May 2023. As per the findings of health ministry, Nangarhar and the entire eastern parts of the country are facing a significant polio threat due to previous instances of environmental polio cases and the confirmed presence of the virus in contaminated water and polluted surroundings.

According to the provincial health officials, healthcare facilities and hygiene measures have been inadequate in Behsud district of Nangarhar where the polio case was recorded.

It is reported that poliovirus can survive for a significant period of time in unsanitary environments.

When children are infected with the virus, they cannot be treated, often resulting in permanent paralysis or death.