Pakistan has confirmed its 14th case of poliovirus this week in Balochistan, intensifying the ongoing outbreak, according to health authorities. Polio, a highly contagious disease, primarily impacts children under five by attacking their nervous system, potentially leading to paralysis or death. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic.
The latest case, reported from the Killa Saifullah district in Balochistan, involved a 22-year-old woman who developed paralysis in both legs on July 22 and passed away a few days later. The diagnosis was confirmed by the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication on Saturday. Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister’s focal person for polio eradication, highlighted that the poliovirus underscores significant immunity gaps and problem areas, particularly in Balochistan where missed vaccination opportunities have contributed to the suffering.
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Muhammad Anwar ul Haq, coordinator of the National Emergency Center for Polio Eradication, noted that 11 of this year’s 14 cases have been in Balochistan, indicating high transmission rates in the region.
Efforts to control polio have faced challenges, including resistance in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to attacks on vaccinators and security teams by militants. Additionally, skepticism towards polio campaigns has been fueled by conspiracy theories and past controversies, such as the 2011 CIA operation involving a fake vaccination program. To address the outbreak, the Pakistani government plans to launch nationwide polio vaccination campaigns in September, October, and December of this year.
