Dera Baba Nanak, November 12 The Health Department has set up a special counter at Integrated Check Post (ICP) to immunise every pilgrim for polio before leaving for Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan for pilgrimage. As per the guidelines, it is mandatory for all devotees to take polio immunisation drops before crossing over to the other side. The health officials stated that even as the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared India a polio-free nation back in 2011, the polio virus is still active in Pakistan. The officials stated that if any pilgrim was not immunised and gets infected, it could create further problems when he or she comes back. “The transmission of polio virus may take place so taking it as preventive measures department is administering polio vaccine to all pilgrims,” said Dr Lakhwinder Singh Athwal, Senior Medical Officer at Dera Baba Nanak. He said the counter had started administering polio drops on November 9. “It has been reported that Pakistan is already battling polio with at least 80 cases of polio already being reported this year so far. So we request the pilgrims to cooperate with the department,” said Dr Athwal. He said apart from pilgrims, the polio immunisation drops are being given regularly to children under the age of five. Even though the country has been declared polio free, the step has been taken to rule out chances of resurfacing of cases. “It is a very crucial time. To keep the country free of polio virus, we also request the general public to continue to immunize their children against polio till the government instructs otherwise,” said Athwal. He added that all the VIP who had gone to Pakistan to attend the inaugural event were also administered the drops.

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