Pakistan’s National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed the detection of three new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), bringing the total number of polio cases in the country to 55 in 2024. The cases were identified in DI Khan and Zhob districts, where female children were affected, and Jaffarabad district, where a male child contracted the virus. This resurgence highlights the ongoing threat of polio in Pakistan, with 26 cases in Balochistan, 14 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 13 in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.
The new cases have raised concerns, especially in DI Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts in southern KP, which has now reported six cases this year. Zhob has reported three cases, and Jaffarabad two. Despite significant efforts by health authorities, polio remains a serious issue, particularly in these endemic areas.
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To combat the disease, the Pakistan Polio Programme has ramped up efforts with mass vaccination drives across the country. The Expanded Programme on Immunization continues to provide free vaccinations for 12 childhood diseases at health facilities, with a focus on ensuring all children under five are vaccinated to protect them from the crippling effects of polio.
In a related effort, the Polio Oversight Board (POB), which oversees global polio eradication efforts, held a meeting to review the progress of the Sindh province in tackling the resurgence of WPV1. Sindh has faced a significant setback this year, reporting 13 new cases after 34 months without any new cases. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah briefed the delegation on the province’s intensified efforts, including mobilizing 4,500 additional staff, involving parliamentarians in areas with high refusal rates, and achieving a 50% reduction in refusals. The province has successfully vaccinated over 10.6 million children with the support of 20,000 police personnel ensuring the safety of frontline workers.
Despite these efforts, the resurgence of polio remains a major challenge, underlining the importance of continued vigilance and vaccination to eliminate the disease in Pakistan.
