Pakistan has reported two new cases of polio, bringing the total number of cases this year to 26, despite ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease. The resurgence of polio poses a significant challenge to the country’s eradication efforts, as authorities intensify vaccination campaigns and public awareness initiatives.
Polio, a highly infectious disease caused by a virus, primarily affects children under five who are malnourished or under-vaccinated. The virus attacks the nervous system, leading to paralysis or even death. While there is no cure, vaccination remains the most effective protection against the disease.
The latest cases were confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health. The cases, the first of the year for their respective districts, were identified in Karachi’s East district and Sujawal. A seven-year-old girl in Karachi and a 12-month-old boy in Sujawal’s Tehsil Jati were paralyzed by the virus.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, expressed concern over the continued threat to Pakistani children from a preventable disease. She emphasized that while paralysis from polio is irreversible, repeated vaccinations can prevent it. Farooq urged parents, community leaders, and teachers to take immediate action to protect children.
Pakistan remains one of only two polio-endemic countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan. Although the annual number of cases has significantly decreased, the recent uptick highlights the need for continued vigilance.
The Pakistan Polio Programme has developed a strategic plan to halt virus transmission by mid-2025. This plan, created in collaboration with provincial authorities, aims to reach every child in high-risk areas, improve the quality of vaccination campaigns, and strengthen community engagement.
A mass vaccination campaign in September targeted 33 million children under five across 115 districts. Another round is scheduled to begin on October 28, with a focus on reaching mobile and migrant populations.
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.
