Two new polio cases have been reported in Pakistan, pushing the country’s total for the year to 26. This comes despite significant efforts by authorities to eradicate the virus, highlighting a concerning rise in the spread of the crippling disease.
Polio, a highly contagious virus, mainly affects children under five, especially those who are malnourished or not fully vaccinated. The disease attacks the nervous system, leading to paralysis and even death in severe cases. Though there is no cure for polio, vaccination remains the most effective method to protect children from the virus.
The resurgence of polio presents a major setback to Pakistan’s eradication efforts, as officials intensify vaccination campaigns and public awareness initiatives. Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last two countries where polio is endemic, though the annual number of cases has decreased significantly.
The latest infections were confirmed in Karachi’s East district and Sujawal by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health, according to The News. These are the first cases reported this year in both districts.
A seven-year-old girl in Karachi’s East and a 12-month-old boy in Sujawal’s Jati Tehsil were paralyzed by the virus. Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, expressed concern over the ongoing threat to children, emphasizing that while polio paralysis is irreversible, it can be prevented through vaccination.
Farooq urged parents, community leaders, and teachers to act quickly and ensure children receive repeated doses of the polio vaccine. The Pakistan Polio Programme has developed a comprehensive plan in consultation with provincial authorities to eliminate virus transmission by mid-2025. The strategy focuses on reaching children in high-risk areas, improving the quality of vaccination campaigns, and enhancing community engagement.
A nationwide vaccination drive in September targeted 33 million children under the age of five across 115 districts, with another round planned for October 28. Authorities stress the importance of reaching mobile and migrant populations during these campaigns.
Of the 26 cases reported this year, 15 are from Balochistan, seven from Sindh, two from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
