Pakistan reports 2 more polio cases, taking this year’s tally to 26
The latest polio cases were detected in Karachi's District East and Sujawal
Pakistan reported two more polio cases, taking this year’s tally to 26!
The country is facing a significant increase in the spread of this debilitating disease, despite the authorities’ extensive efforts to eradicate polio.
The latest polio cases, detected in Karachi’s District East and Sujawal, were confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health.
These are the first cases of the year in both districts.
According to the report, a seven-year-old girl from Karachi’s District East was paralyzed by the poliovirus, while a 12-month-old boy from Tehsil Jati in Sujawal was also affected.
Out of the 26 polio cases reported this year, 15 are from Balochistan, seven from Sindh, two from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
“It is devastating that Pakistani children continue to face the threat of a disease that can be easily prevented with the readily available polio vaccine,” said Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication.
She emphasized that once a child is paralyzed by polio, the damage is permanent, but repeated vaccinations can prevent this outcome.
Farooq highlighted the urgency of the situation, urging parents, community leaders, and teachers to take prompt action.
The Pakistan Polio Programme has established a strategic plan aimed at reducing virus transmission, with the objective of stopping its spread by mid-2025. Developed in collaboration with provincial authorities, the plan prioritizes reaching every child in high-risk areas, enhancing the quality of vaccination campaigns, and strengthening community involvement.
A recent mass vaccination campaign in September aimed to immunize 33 million children under five across 115 districts. Another round is set to commence on October 28, with officials stressing the importance of reaching mobile and migrant populations as well.
Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last two polio-endemic countries in the world. However, the annual number of cases in the country has seen a significant decline.
Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that primarily affects children under five, particularly those who are malnourished or have weakened immune systems due to being under-vaccinated or not vaccinated against polio and other childhood illnesses.
The disease attacks the nervous system, potentially leading to paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this debilitating illness.
The resurgence of polio in the country represents a significant setback in efforts to eradicate the disease, prompting officials to enhance vaccination campaigns and raise public awareness about the importance of immunization.
