Pakistan’s Polio health crisis deepens with 50th Wild Poliovirus case confirmed

PESHAWAR: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed the 50th case of wild poliovirus (WPV1) in Pakistan this year, signaling a growing health crisis for the country.

According to a press release issued by the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the latest case has been reported in a young girl from Tank district, KP. Genetic sequencing of the virus isolated from the child's samples reveals it is genetically linked to a WPV1 strain detected in the same district in July.

“This marks the second polio case from Tank district and the 50th case across Pakistan in 2024,” the press release stated.

Polio cases by region in 2024

The breakdown of this year’s polio cases reveals the extensive geographical spread of the virus:

Balochistan: 24 cases
Sindh: 13 cases
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): 11 cases
Punjab and Islamabad: 1 case each
Ongoing health emergency

This alarming rise in polio cases reflects Pakistan's struggle to eradicate the virus, particularly in high-risk regions. Earlier this week, the detection of Pakistan’s 49th polio case was reportd, identified in a child from Jaffarabad, Balochistan, which underscores the continued transmission of WPV1 in multiple provinces.

Challenges in the fight against Polio

Despite concerted efforts by government and health organizations, Pakistan remains one of the last two countries in the world where polio is still endemic. Factors contributing to the persistent spread of the virus include:

Inconsistent vaccination coverage in remote and conflict-affected areas.
Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy within certain communities.
Geographic and cultural barriers that limit access to immunization campaigns.
Health officials stress that addressing these challenges is critical to halting further spread. Emergency vaccination drives have been intensified in high-risk districts, including Tank and Jaffarabad, following the latest detections.

Urgency for collective action

Dr. Imran Sikander, KP’s EOC Coordinator, emphasized the need for immediate action:

“The detection of 50 polio cases this year highlights an urgent need for increased vaccination coverage and community engagement. We must redouble efforts to reach every child, especially in under-immunized districts.”

With polio eradication considered a global health priority, experts warn that failure to contain the virus in Pakistan could reverse progress made globally over the past decades.

The rising case count is a stark reminder of the ongoing health emergency and the critical importance of sustained efforts to protect children from this crippling disease.