Two new cases of wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1) have been confirmed in Sindh, bringing the total number of cases in Pakistan to 39 in 2024, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) officials revealed that the latest victims are a boy from Mirpurkhas and a girl from Sanghar, marking the first polio cases in these areas this year. The rise in cases reflects a worsening situation, particularly in Sindh, where multiple environmental samples tested positive for the virus earlier.
Read more: Pakistan Confirms 33rd Polio Case in 2024
So far, Balochistan has reported 20 cases, Sindh 12, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) five, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad. Additionally, three children, including one from Karachi and two from Balochistan, have died from the disease. Despite efforts, misinformation and vaccine hesitancy remain significant challenges, with a nationwide vaccine campaign set to begin on October 28.
