The National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed three new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), raising the total to 55 cases in Pakistan this year. The announcement was made on November 23, following identification by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication.
The latest cases include two female children from DI Khan and Zhob districts and a male child from Jaffarabad district. DI Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has reported six cases in 2024, while Zhob and Jaffarabad have logged three and two cases, respectively.
Polio Resurgence Across Provinces
This resurgence marks a troubling rise in WPV1 cases nationwide. Balochistan has been the most affected province with 26 cases, followed by KP (14), Sindh (13), and one case each in Punjab and Islamabad.
Polio, a paralyzing disease with no cure, poses a severe threat to children under five. Health authorities emphasize the critical role of vaccination, with multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine required to ensure immunity.
Enhanced Vaccination Campaigns
The Pakistan Polio Programme has intensified its efforts through nationwide mass vaccination campaigns. Additionally, the Expanded Programme on Immunization offers free vaccines for 12 preventable childhood diseases at public health facilities.
Parents are being urged to ensure their children under five receive vaccinations to safeguard against the devastating effects of polio.
Sindh’s Anti-Polio Efforts Commended by Global Experts
In a separate development, Sindh’s polio eradication efforts were lauded by the Polio Oversight Board (POB) during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The session included representatives from WHO, UNICEF, Rotary Foundation, CDC, and KSRelief, alongside key provincial officials.
Sindh reported 13 WPV1 cases in 2024, breaking a 34-month streak without new cases. Chief Minister Shah highlighted several measures, including mobilizing 4,500 additional staff, engaging parliamentarians in high-refusal areas, and reducing vaccine refusals by 50%.
He also noted the vaccination of over 10.6 million children in recent campaigns, supported by 20,000 police personnel to protect health workers.
Despite progress, the resurgence underscores the importance of sustained efforts to eradicate polio from Pakistan permanently.
