Polio Cases Surge in Pakistan as Two More WPV1 Cases Reported in DI Khan and Lakki Marwat

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s polio program confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, bringing the total number of reported cases nationwide to 45 this year. The cases were confirmed late Friday by the regional reference laboratory at the National Institute of Health, affecting a girl in Lakki Marwat and a boy in Dera Ismail Khan.
These new cases mark the second occurrence of polio in both districts this year, which have previously reported positive environmental samples for the virus. This alarming development comes amidst an ongoing nationwide vaccination campaign aimed at immunizing over 45 million children from October 28 to November 3.
The polio program emphasized the critical role of community participation in the fight against polio. “It is vital for parents to welcome vaccinators into their homes and ensure that all children in their care receive the oral polio vaccine (OPV). This is essential to protect them from the devastating effects of polio,” stated a program representative.
As of now, the breakdown of reported polio cases in 2024 includes 22 cases from Balochistan, 12 from Sindh, nine from KP, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad. The presence of WPV1 has also been detected in environmental samples across 76 districts throughout the country, indicating widespread circulation of the virus and a continuing serious risk to children’s health.
To mitigate this risk, health officials stress the importance of multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completing the routine vaccination schedule for all children under five years age.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where polio is endemic. Since late 2018, Pakistan has experienced a resurgence of polio cases and an increased spread of the virus, underscoring the fragility of the progress made in the preceding years.
The polio program urges all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure that every child is vaccinated and protected against this preventable disease.