Polio Resurgence in Pakistan
Pakistan reported a new polio case on Monday in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), bringing the total number of cases this year to 68, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Despite ongoing global eradication efforts, polio remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with children under five being the most vulnerable to the disease.
Wild Poliovirus Detected in Environmental Samples
On Saturday, wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) was found in environmental samples from 26 districts already affected by the disease. The NIH’s Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication confirmed this detection. Of the 68 reported cases this year:
- 27 cases are from Balochistan.
- 20 cases are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- 19 cases are from Sindh.
- 1 case each is from Punjab and Islamabad.
The Challenge of Eradicating Polio
Polio, a paralysing disease with no cure, is preventable through multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and routine immunization schedules. Despite intensive vaccination campaigns, eradication efforts in Pakistan face challenges, including:
- Security concerns in remote regions.
- Vaccine hesitancy among communities.
- Misinformation about vaccines.
Nationwide Vaccination Efforts
Mass Vaccination Campaigns
The Pakistan Polio Programme conducts multiple vaccination drives annually, delivering vaccines directly to children’s doorsteps. The Expanded Programme on Immunization also provides free vaccinations for 12 childhood diseases at health facilities nationwide.
Recent Campaigns
From December 16 to 22, a sub-national polio vaccination campaign was held across Punjab, Sindh, KP, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad, vaccinating over 42 million children. The second phase of the campaign began in Balochistan on December 23, targeting 36 districts.
The Role of Parents in Polio Prevention
Health authorities stress the importance of vaccinating all children under the age of five to ensure high immunity against polio. Parents are urged to participate actively in vaccination campaigns to protect their children and support efforts to eliminate the virus.
The detection of another case serves as a stark reminder of the work still needed to eradicate the disease. With 68 cases reported in 2024, Pakistan must intensify efforts to overcome the challenges of misinformation, security concerns, and vaccine hesitancy. The country’s commitment to mass vaccination and awareness campaigns remains critical in achieving a polio-free future.
