Pakistan’s 2024 Polio Cases Reach 56 After New Detection in KP

Pakistan’s struggle with poliovirus continues as a fresh case has emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Dera Ismail Khan district, bringing the nationwide total to 56 cases in 2024.

The latest victim, a 27-month-old child from the Drazanda tehsil of DI Khan, marks the seventh case reported in the district this year, according to the provincial health department.

KP has now recorded 15 cases in total, with officials attributing the virus’s persistence to the precarious security situation that disrupts vaccination efforts in the region’s southern areas.

Polio’s Spread Across Provinces

Balochistan leads with the highest number of poliovirus cases this year, followed by KP.

Sindh has reported 13 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad have each recorded one case.

Last week, two cases were confirmed in Balochistan and another in KP, underscoring the ongoing challenges in containing the disease.

Global Concern: One of Two Endemic Countries

Pakistan remains one of only two countries where wild poliovirus still circulates, the other being Afghanistan.

Despite sustained vaccination efforts, challenges such as misinformation, insecurity, and vaccine hesitancy continue to impede eradication efforts.

The virus, a highly contagious disease affecting primarily children under five, can lead to lifelong paralysis but is entirely preventable with immunisation.

Health Officials Sound Alarm

Health authorities have reiterated the critical importance of vaccination campaigns to protect children and eliminate the virus.

“We are addressing this resurgence with targeted strategies, aiming to reach missed children, combat vaccine hesitancy, and integrate health services in vulnerable areas,” said Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication.

POB Urges Intensified Efforts

The rising cases have prompted the Polio Oversight Board (POB) to call for accelerated routine immunisation campaigns, particularly in Balochistan and south KP.

During a visit to Pakistan from November 20 to 22, the POB delegation, led by Dr Chris Elias, urged stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted access to at-risk children.

The delegation, comprising representatives from WHO, UNICEF, the CDC, Rotary International, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, also met with national health leaders at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

The discussions highlighted the importance of integrating polio vaccination efforts with broader health services to address the disease holistically.

Pakistan’s battle against polio remains a significant public health challenge, with renewed commitments essential to achieving eradication and securing a polio-free future.