Polio Cases in Pakistan Reach 50 Mark in 2024

Virus Identified in 20-Month-Old Girl from Tank District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan has now reported 50 cases of polio in 2024, health authorities announced on Tuesday, highlighting the ongoing challenge in eradicating the disease that causes permanent paralysis in children.

The latest confirmed case involves a 20-month-old girl from the Tank district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has reported 11 cases so far this year.

Health officials noted that Tank is a high-risk area, with multiple cases and environmental samples testing positive for the poliovirus.

Balochistan has seen the highest number of cases, with 24 recorded so far, followed by Sindh with 13, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 11, and isolated cases in Punjab and Islamabad.

Despite global efforts to eradicate polio, Pakistan remains one of the last two countries where the wild poliovirus continues to spread.

Experts point to factors such as security concerns, misinformation, and vaccine hesitancy as major hurdles to vaccination campaigns.

Health officials stress the importance of nationwide vaccination drives and urge parents to ensure their children receive polio immunization to prevent further spread of the virus.

Polio, a highly contagious viral infection, primarily affects children under five and can cause severe neurological damage, including paralysis.

While no cure exists, vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing the disease.