Pakistan’s National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed three new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), bringing the total number of polio cases to 55 in 2024. The confirmation, issued on November 23, identified cases in the DI Khan and Zhob districts, where two female children were affected, and in Jaffarabad district, where a male child contracted the virus.
This marks a troubling resurgence of WPV1 in the country. DI Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic areas in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has now reported six cases this year, while Zhob has seen three cases, and Jaffarabad has recorded two. Balochistan is the hardest-hit province, with 26 cases, followed by KP with 14, Sindh with 13, and Punjab and Islamabad each reporting one case.
Polio remains a serious concern in Pakistan, a disease that causes paralysis and has no cure. Health authorities emphasize the importance of vaccination, urging parents to ensure that all children under five receive multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, which is critical for immunity.
To combat the spread, the Pakistan Polio Programme has stepped up efforts, launching mass vaccination campaigns across the country. The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) also provides free vaccinations for 12 childhood diseases at health facilities.
In a related development, global experts have praised Sindh’s anti-polio efforts. The Polio Oversight Board (POB) recently reviewed Sindh’s progress, where 13 new cases have been reported this year following a 34-month period without new cases. Sindh has mobilized over 4,500 additional staff, engaged local leaders to address vaccine refusals, and successfully vaccinated more than 10.6 million children in recent campaigns. The province has also seen a 50% reduction in vaccine refusals, thanks to the efforts of health officials and the support of 20,000 police officers ensuring the safety of frontline workers.
