IEA reports third polio case this year

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s public health ministry said on Thursday a case of polio has been reported in the Nazyan district of Nangarhar province, bringing the total number of cases so far this year to three. 

In a statement, the ministry said the latest polio patient is a 30-month-old boy.

The ministry also said all three cases were reported in Nangarhar. 

Children in eastern provinces, including Nangahar, have always been susceptible to the polio virus. 

According to the ministry, Nazyan district, where the latest case was recorded, was questionable in terms of sanitation. The statement noted the district has poor personal hygiene and sanitation conditions. 

The ministry pointed out that polio can only be eradicated through vaccinations. Polio eradication campaigns are continuously conducted across the country with the help of the World Health Organization. 

The ministry said that the full cooperation of the people, particularly community elders, was critical in terms of eradicating the virus and called on them to ensure all children get vaccinated during the campaigns.