Pakistan has confirmed two new polio cases, increasing the nationwide tally to 21 this year. The latest infections were reported from Lower Kohistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Badin in Sindh.
New Polio Infections Identified
Health authorities said a six-year-old girl from Lower Kohistan and a 21-month-old girl from Badin have tested positive. These polio cases were confirmed by the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
With the new cases, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has now reported 13 infections, while Sindh’s total stands at six. Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan have reported one case each this year.
Polio Remains a Threat in Pakistan
Officials warn that polio is still a serious health risk. There is no cure, and only repeated vaccination can protect children. The NEOC stressed that “every missed child is a risk to all children.”
National Vaccination Campaign to Launch
To stop the spread of the virus, a nationwide anti-polio drive will begin on September 1. Millions of children under five will receive oral polio vaccine drops. Special focus will be placed on districts where new polio cases have emerged.
Environmental Samples Show Positive Signs
A recent NEOC report showed improvement in environmental testing. Of 127 sewage samples collected from 87 districts, only 42 tested positive. The remaining 75 were polio-free. Results for 10 samples are still pending.
Balochistan, AJK, and Gilgit-Baltistan showed strong results, with most or all samples testing negative.
Surveillance Continues
All tests were carried out at the National Institute of Health’s Polio Regional Lab in Islamabad. The lab plays a key role in tracking the virus.
Authorities continue to urge parents to vaccinate their children during every campaign to help eliminate polio in Pakistan.
In other related news also read Pakistan Confirms 33rd Polio Case in 2024
