Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan reports its first polio case
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad confirmed the new case of wild poliovirus in Gilgit-Baltistan's Diamer district.
Gilgit Baltistan Health Secretary, Asifullah Khan, said that a 23-month-old child was diagnosed with poliovirus in the Tangir area of the district, adding that the virus strain originated from Karachi's Liaquatabad area.
He said it was not clear how the child was infected as he had not travelled out of the Tangir area.
This is the first case of wild poliovirus reported from Gilgit-Baltistan and the 11th confirmed case in Pakistan this year, according to the country's Polio Eradication Programme.
Before the latest case, Gilgit-Baltistan was declared a polio-free zone.
The case surfaced after the third nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025, which began on May 26, concluded on Sunday after successfully administering the vaccine to over 45 million children across the country.
Meanwhile, unknown gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team in Sheikho village of Tangir Valley on Sunday. However, they remained safe.
Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Firaq said the polio team visited the area "without informing the police", leading to the "unfortunate" incident. He said the team was safely evacuated.
Pakistan is the only country, after Afghanistan, where poliovirus is still rampant despite government efforts to eradicate it.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
4 days ago
- United News of India
Pak reports decline in +ve polio samples
Islamabad, Aug 13 (UNI) Pakistan has recorded a decline in the presence of the polio virus in environmental samples, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said here on Tuesday. Out of 127 sewage samples collected from 87 districts, only 42 tested positive for the virus, while 75 samples were polio-free. Results for 10 samples are still awaited. All tests were conducted at the National Institute of Health's Polio Regional Laboratory in Islamabad, which plays a key role in monitoring environmental surveillance to detect poliovirus circulation, Pakistani media reported. As of now, the total number of polio cases in the country has risen to 19 in 2025, as per Samaa news. Last week, the regional laboratory of the National Institute of Health (NIH) had confirmed the presence of poliovirus in a young child. This was the 12th case reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) this year. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains one of the hardest-hit provinces in the fight against polio. UNI XC GNK
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Doctor shares 5 common seasonal skin infections during monsoon and how to prevent them
Monsoon puts your skin health at serious risk due to challenging weather conditions, from constant gloominess throughout the day to dampness caused by high moisture in the air. Over time, if proper hygiene precautions are not taken, these weather conditions create the ideal environment for bacterial and fungal infections to thrive. This is why knowing the preventive measures is important to steer clear of monsoon's seasonal infections. Dr Mukesh Batra, founder-chairman Emeritus, Dr Batra'sHealthcare, shared with HT Lifestyle about how vulnerable your skin can get during monsoon, increasing the chances of infections. Skin allergies and infections are common because of the high moisture content in the air.(Shutterstock) He said, 'Monsoon rain, damp weather and heavy humidity bring with them a flood of skin infections. The season creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi to grow in the surroundings as well as the body. As per the National Institute of Health, severe fungal infection reaches about 4.1% of India's population, whereas a superficial skin fungal infection can vary extensively from 6.09 percent to as much as 61.5 percent based on location.' ALSO READ: Eye issues, infections rise in monsoon: Experts share how to use eye drops correctly and prevent conjunctivitis Further specifying what kind of infections are common during the monsoon season, he added, 'Diseases like Ringworm, Erythrasma, Folliculitis, Heat Rash, and Athlete's Foot are prevalent this season. These seasonal changes are a good time to reflect on the need for mass awareness and preventive measures to decrease the incidence of monsoon-borne infection.' Since prevention is better than cure, looking after your skin health and general hygiene becomes the need of the hour this monsoon. Dr Batra shared these 5 monsoon skin infections, unpacking the signs, precautions and when to visit a doctor: 1. Athlete's foot High humidity and wet shoes increase the possibility of fungus growth, making the disease common during this season. Signs: This can be identified with redness, itching, and cracking of the skin between the toes or peeling skin. This can be identified with redness, itching, and cracking of the skin between the toes or peeling skin. Prevention: Prevention is a part of daily routine through washing and drying feet properly, using antifungal powder, wearing dry socks, or selecting air-drying shoes. Avoid going barefoot in shared wet areas. Wet shoes and high humidity cause athlete's foot.(Shutterstock) 2. Ringworm Signs: A very frequent fungal infection manifests in the beginning as round, itching, red plaques with scaling, raised edges. A very frequent fungal infection manifests in the beginning as round, itching, red plaques with scaling, raised edges. Prevention: Prevention includes daily washing and drying of the body, application of antifungal powders or creams, wearing loose cotton clothing, and not sharing towels or clothing. Wear open-toed shoes or ventilated footwear, dry quickly out of wet clothes, dress loosely and ensure shoes and socks are well dried before re-use. Prevention includes daily washing and drying of the body, application of antifungal powders or creams, wearing loose cotton clothing, and not sharing towels or clothing. Wear open-toed shoes or ventilated footwear, dry quickly out of wet clothes, dress loosely and ensure shoes and socks are well dried before re-use. When to visit doctor: Consult with a doctor if the rash spreads, lasts for more than two weeks, especially if your immune system is compromised. 3. Erythrasma: Signs: The infection can be recognised with pink-brown scaling patches in folds of the skin (e.g. groin, underarms, between toes), which are itchy or have a mild sting. The infection can be recognised with pink-brown scaling patches in folds of the skin (e.g. groin, underarms, between toes), which are itchy or have a mild sting. Prevention: The preventive measures include daily showers and washing with antibacterial soap, keeping the areas dry and applying antibacterial powder. Tight-fitting clothes must be avoided, remove wet clothes as soon as possible, change footwear frequently to dry and leave skin creases uncovered to air to minimise moisture buildup. The preventive measures include daily showers and washing with antibacterial soap, keeping the areas dry and applying antibacterial powder. Tight-fitting clothes must be avoided, remove wet clothes as soon as possible, change footwear frequently to dry and leave skin creases uncovered to air to minimise moisture buildup. When to visit doctor: Consult a health expert if the rash becomes worse after two weeks, or drains or is tender, especially with underlying medical conditions like diabetes. 4. Folliculitis The disease generally occurs with inflammation of hair follicles due to sweat, humidity, and friction. Signs: Initial symptoms are tender, sometimes itchy, red pimples around follicles. Initial symptoms are tender, sometimes itchy, red pimples around follicles. Prevention/treatment: Apply Aloe vera or diluted tea tree during shower, brushing with a soft-bristled brush weekly to exfoliate, do not shave over the rash. Apply Aloe vera or diluted tea tree during shower, brushing with a soft-bristled brush weekly to exfoliate, do not shave over the rash. When to visit a doctor: If the rash spreads to other areas, persists for longer than one week, or is accompanied by swelling and pain. 5. Heat rash: Tends to break out during the monsoon due to plugged sweat pores in hot, humid weather. Signs: Symptoms are small red or white pimples, an itchy sensation on areas of the body such as the neck, chest, or folds of skin. Symptoms are small red or white pimples, an itchy sensation on areas of the body such as the neck, chest, or folds of skin. Prevention: Avoid it by keeping cool, using fans or air conditioning, dressing in loose clothing, showering in cool water, and patting dry skin. Steer clear of thick creams or powders that may clog pores; instead, use soothing calamine or colloidal oatmeal lotions. Avoid it by keeping cool, using fans or air conditioning, dressing in loose clothing, showering in cool water, and patting dry skin. Steer clear of thick creams or powders that may clog pores; instead, use soothing calamine or colloidal oatmeal lotions. When to see a doctor: If the rash lasts for more than a few days, becomes tender, reddens, or is accompanied by fever or swelling, as these might indicate secondary infection. During very humid and rainy weather, it creates the ideal climate for fungi and bacteria to thrive. Dr Batra shared some general prevention tips that keep skin infections away. He concluded, 'Rubbing against skin and dressing in tight clothes trap moisture in skin folds, which can lead to infection. Further, wetting your skin and drying it over and over can weaken your skin's natural protective barrier, and germs can penetrate easily. By noticing early signs like redness, itchiness, or pustules, people can take preventive steps to keep themselves healthy. You can prevent infections from worsening by drying your skin, loose clothing, and using antifungal ointments.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Indian Express
How a CIA operation stopped Pakistanis from getting vaccinated against polio
In the dry, mountainous district of North Waziristan, 19-month-old Ahmad became Pakistan's 14th confirmed polio case of 2025. His diagnosis, reported on July 1 by the National Institute of Health in Islamabad, pushed the year's total in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to eight. That figure may seem small, but it's a grim reminder: Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic. Pakistan has fought hard against polio, slashing cases by over 99 per cent, according to Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal. Decades of door-to-door vaccination drives, brave health workers, and global support have pushed the virus to the brink of extinction. But the fight isn't just against a disease. It's against poverty, conflict, and a lingering wound inflicted by a CIA operation more than a decade ago. In 2011, a shocking secret came to light: the CIA had used a fake vaccination campaign in Abbottabad, Pakistan, to hunt for Osama bin Laden. It was a move no one saw coming, and its fallout would ripple for years. Reports from The Guardian and The New York Times revealed that the CIA, desperate to confirm if bin Laden was hiding in a local compound, enlisted a Pakistani doctor named Shakil Afridi. His job? Run a pretend hepatitis B vaccination drive for kids in the area. But the needles weren't just for vaccines—they were a cover to collect DNA samples, likely through blood or saliva, from children near the compound. The hope was to match the samples to DNA from bin Laden's sister, who'd died in the US the year before, to prove if her brother—the elusive 'Pacer' the CIA was tracking—was really there. The mission worked; Bin Laden was killed. But America's success came at Pakistan's cost. Once news spread of the fake vaccination campaign, the backlash was swift and far-reaching. Many Pakistanis saw the episode as confirmation of their worst suspicions: that Western aid programs could be Trojan horses for intelligence operations. Public trust in vaccination campaigns, already fragile in parts of the country due to conspiracy theories and religious opposition, was severely damaged. 'Release of this information has had a disastrous effect on worldwide eradication of infectious diseases, especially polio,' The Lancet later reported. Militant groups used the episode to reinforce conspiracy theories that vaccinations were a Western plot. In the years since, polio workers have been targeted by extremists, forced to operate under armed escort. In Balochistan last November, a bomb tore through a police escort for vaccinators, killing nine, including five children. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 20 health workers and guards have been killed in similar attacks. The violence forced groups like the UN to pause vaccination efforts, leaving millions of children unprotected. As the violence increased, so did mistrust. According to Dawn, Pakistan's leading English daily, the numbers from recent immunisation drives are staggering. 'Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 19,070 refusals against oral polio vaccine in February,' the paper reported. Additionally, nearly 100,000 children were simply not home when health workers came – possibly because parents intentionally kept them away. A study by researchers Monica Martinez-Bravo and Andreas Stegmann showed how the CIA's ruse gutted vaccination rates. In areas with strong support for extremist groups, vaccinations for polio dropped 28 percent, measles 39 per cent, and other diseases 23 per cent following the revelations. In some Taliban-controlled regions, vaccines were banned outright. The CIA's promise in 2014 to never again use health programs for spying came too late. The damage was done. Vaccination refusal became ideological. This growing mistrust has left the last mile of eradication out of reach. Meanwhile, attacks on health workers have become routine. Fear stalks every door-to-door visit. Paranoia thrives in the absence of trust. And a virus that should have been confined to history now clings to life—in part because public health was once used as a weapon of war.
