Polio Cases Soar to 69 in Pakistan, Raising Alarm Nationwide
Image Source: Hindustan Times
Islamabad: Pakistan reported another polio case in Tank, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, pushing the total number of confirmed cases in 2024 to 69, according to a statement released by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Wednesday. The development underscores growing concerns as the country remains one of only two in the world where the poliovirus is still endemic, alongside neighboring Afghanistan.
The latest case, identified on January 7, marks the fifth instance in Tank this year, as confirmed by the NIH’s Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication. Of the 69 cases reported nationwide, Balochistan recorded the highest number with 27, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (21), Sindh (19), and a single case each from Punjab and Islamabad.
Polio, a disease that primarily affects children under the age of five, can cause irreversible paralysis and, in severe cases, be fatal. Despite global eradication efforts, Pakistan continues to struggle with persistent outbreaks due to a combination of factors, including security concerns in conflict-prone areas, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation campaigns that hinder immunisation drives.
Health officials emphasise that completing the full vaccination schedule with multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine is crucial to achieving immunity, especially for young children. “Polio is a preventable yet debilitating disease. Strengthened vaccination campaigns and public awareness are key to curbing its spread,” health experts warn.
In addition to Pakistan, Afghanistan has reported 25 polio cases so far this year. Both countries face significant challenges in their fight against the virus, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated international efforts and robust public health initiatives to eradicate polio once and for all.
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