Pakistan’s polio eradication campaign faced another setback as three new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) were reported, bringing this year’s total to an alarming 55 cases, according to the National Polio Eradication Programme.
Details of the Latest Cases
- Locations:
- Balochistan: Two cases were detected in Zhob and Jaffarabad districts, marking Zhob’s third and Jaffarabad’s second cases this year.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): One case was reported in Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan), a district that has now registered six cases in 2024.
Provincial Breakdown of Cases in 2024
- Balochistan: 26 cases
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 14 cases
- Sindh: 13 cases
- Punjab: 1 case
- Islamabad: 1 case
The Polio Challenge in Pakistan
Pakistan remains one of only two polio-endemic countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan. This year has seen a worrying increase in cases, prompting health officials to reassess their strategies to combat the disease.
The southern districts of KP, including DI Khan, are of particular concern due to persistent polio transmission. These regions have historically faced challenges such as low vaccination coverage, vaccine hesitancy, and security issues, which hinder eradication efforts.
Urgent Need for Action
Health authorities are intensifying vaccination drives and surveillance efforts to curb the spread of the virus. However, the spike in cases underscores the need for stronger community engagement, improved healthcare access, and robust vaccination campaigns.
The rise in cases is a stark reminder of the critical importance of collective efforts to eliminate the disease and protect future generations from its crippling effects.
