Pakistan reported its first polio case this year after the virus was detected in a toddler in the southwestern Balochistan province, the National Institute of Health (NIH) said on Thursday.

The virus was found in a two-and-half-year-old child from Dera Bugti district of the province, the NIH added.

The samples from the child were collected on Feb. 22, after he showed symptoms of the disease.

The institute added that apart from the positive case, the virus was also detected in 46 sewage samples across the country since the beginning of this year.

To combat the disease, a special polio campaign in nine districts of Balochistan will start on March 24, the NIH said.

The South Asian country reported six polio cases in 2023.

(With UNI inputs)