A New Polio Case in Balochistan Raises Pakistan’s Tally to 65 for 2024
In light of the recent surge in cases, a subnational polio vaccination campaign is set to commence in Balochistan on December 30.
Pakistan confirmed its 65th case of polio for the year, with the latest case detected in Killa Abdullah, Balochistan. This marks the seventh polio case reported from Killa Abdullah in 2024, contributing to a total of 27 cases from Balochistan alone.
Other provinces have also seen a rise in polio cases, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh each reporting 18 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad have reported one case each.
The nationwide distribution of polio cases this year includes:
- Balochistan: 27 cases
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 18 cases
- Sindh: 18 cases
- Punjab: 1 case
- Islamabad: 1 case
On Tuesday, the National Institute of Health’s Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication confirmed the 65th case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) from Killa Abdullah, Balochistan.
Polio, a debilitating disease that can lead to paralysis, underscores the critical need for vaccination. The Pakistan Polio Program is actively conducting vaccination drives aimed at children under five, providing multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine. Routine immunization is also available through the Expanded Programme on Immunization at health facilities nationwide.
In light of the recent surge in cases, a subnational polio vaccination campaign is set to commence in Balochistan on December 30. The campaign will target all 36 districts to ensure every child is reached and vaccinated against the further spread of the virus. Health authorities are urging parents to participate actively.
