The virus invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours.
ISLAMABAD: Another five polio cases have been confirmed in the country, increasing the number of patients to 115 this year,  reported.

According to National Institute of Health, polio virus was detected in Khyber Agency’s 18-month-old Ayaz, one-year-old Hazina from Tehsil Bara and two-year-old Mehaadullah.

18-month-old Masood and Fida from North Waziristan were also confirmed for polio virus. After emergence of five polio cases in one day, the tally has reached 115. Out of which, 84 children belong to Federal Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), 19 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two from Sindh while two children belong to Punjab and Balochistan.

Pakistan is in the spotlight as the only country with endemic polio that saw cases rise last year. Its caseload rose to 93 from 58 in 2012, accounting for more than a fifth of the 417 cases globally in 2013.

The virus invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours. There is no cure for the disease but it can be prevented by immunization. The polio vaccine, administered multiple times, can protect a child for life.