ISLAMABAD: The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has reported another polio case in Pakistan, bringing the total number of cases in 2024 to 50.
The National Reference Lab identified the latest case, involving a 20-month-old girl from Tank district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Tests confirmed the presence of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). This is the second polio case reported from Tank this year, with a genetic link established to a case from July in the same district.
Province-wise, Balochistan remains the hardest hit, with 24 polio cases reported this year, followed by Sindh with 13, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 11, and Punjab and Islamabad each recording one case.
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of polio vaccination campaigns to curb the spread of the virus, particularly in high-risk areas. The recent rise in polio cases in Pakistan has raised concerns among international organizations, sources said.
According to sources, these organizations have called on Pakistan to implement emergency measures. Pakistan has assured international organizations that swift action will be taken to control polio. Additionally, these organizations, which work to combat the virus, are expected to visit Pakistan later this month.
It is pertinent to mention here that around 500,000 children likely missed their polio vaccinations during Pakistan’s October 2024 countrywide inoculation drive, as per a top health official’s statement on November 10.
The resurgence of polio cases highlights the vulnerability of progress made in the fight against the disease. After a significant decline in cases in recent years, with only six cases in 2023, the number of infections is rising again. A contributing factor to the surge is a repatriation drive against illegal immigrants, which saw unvaccinated Afghan refugees spreading the virus across the country.
In addition to logistical challenges, Pakistan’s polio workers have faced increasing threats, with more than 90 vaccinators killed since 2012. A recent bomb attack targeted police escorting vaccine teams, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including five children.
