Pakistani health authorities have confirmed the country’s 70th case of poliovirus in 2024, according to the national polio eradication program. The case, involving a male child from Karachi East, marks the second reported case in the district for the year.
Details of the Case
- Onset of Symptoms: December 21, 2024
- Location: Karachi East District
- Poliovirus Type: Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1)
The detection was confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health.
Polio Cases by Region in 2024
- Balochistan: 27 cases
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 21 cases
- Sindh: 20 cases
- Punjab: 1 case
- Islamabad: 1 case
Ongoing Efforts for Eradication
The Pakistan Polio Programme continues to combat the disease through multiple nationwide mass vaccination campaigns each year. These initiatives aim to deliver vaccines directly to households.
Upcoming Campaign
The health ministry has announced the year’s first nationwide polio vaccination campaign, scheduled from February 3–9, 2025. Parents are urged to ensure their children’s safety by welcoming vaccinators during the campaign.
Polio eradication remains a critical public health challenge in Pakistan, one of the few countries in the world still reporting wild poliovirus cases.
