71st Polio Case
ISLAMABAD: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed Pakistan’s 71st case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) for 2024. This case involves a young male child from Jacobabad, Sindh, who began showing symptoms on December 27, 2024.
Jacobabad has reported five polio cases this year, highlighting persistent challenges in combating the disease despite numerous mass vaccination drives. Nationally, WPV1 cases for 2024 have reached 71, with Balochistan reporting the highest number at 27 cases. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have each reported 21 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad recorded one case each.
Health officials have reiterated the seriousness of polio, a debilitating disease with no cure. They emphasize the importance of vaccination in preventing the virus. “Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completing the routine immunisation schedule for children under five are critical to building immunity against this devastating virus,” stated a senior health official.
To combat the resurgence, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, in collaboration with the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI), continues nationwide vaccination efforts. These initiatives aim to immunize children under five against polio and 12 other childhood diseases free of charge at healthcare facilities across the country.
The first nationwide polio vaccination campaign for 2025 is scheduled from February 3 to February 9. Health authorities have urged parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine during this period. The campaign will mobilize thousands of health workers to administer vaccines door-to-door and at health centers, ensuring no child is left unvaccinated.
Efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan face numerous challenges, including vaccine hesitancy and logistical difficulties in remote areas. Nevertheless, health officials remain steadfast in their commitment to eliminating the virus, citing significant progress in reducing cases over the years.
Collaboration with community leaders and international health agencies is being strengthened to build public trust and awareness. Authorities are hopeful that with sustained effort and public cooperation, Pakistan can overcome the resurgence and achieve a polio-free status.
