DHAKA: The unvaccinated children in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) continued to thwart global efforts to eradicate polio as National Institute of Health, Islamabad confirmed three new polio cases in Khyber Agency on Monday.     

The new cases took the nationwide polio count to 91, only two short of equaling the last year tally of 93. Fata has recorded 69 cases, including 55 from North Waziristan Agency, seven from Khyber Agency, five from South Waziristan Agency and two from Frontier Region of Bannu. 

Fata is directly governed by the federal government while vaccination hasn’t been carried out in Waziristan since June 2012.  

The vaccination campaigns in Khyber Agency have also been poor owing to threats by militants. It was difficult for health workers in tribal areas to vaccinate children against polio and invite the wrath of Taliban, reports Dawn.

BDST: 0937 HRS, JUL 15, 2014