ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's polio crisis has intensified with the confirmation of the 65th case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) this year. The National Institutes of Health's Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication verified the latest case in a 1.5-year-old malnourished boy from Union Council Sagai, Tehsil Gulistan, Killa Abdullah district. This child, who has suffered from repeated diarrheal episodes, is the seventh polio victim from Killa Abdullah and the 14th from the Quetta block in 2024.
The distribution of polio cases across Pakistan is alarming: 27 in Balochistan, 18 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 18 in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad. This resurgence underscores the persistent threat of polio in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan—the only two countries where the virus remains endemic.
In response, a sub-national polio vaccination campaign is scheduled to commence on December 30, targeting all 36 districts of Balochistan. This initiative is critical to curb the virus's spread and protect vulnerable children.
The global health community is alarmed by the situation in Pakistan. Despite extensive eradication efforts, the country continues to grapple with new polio cases, highlighting the challenges in achieving a polio-free world. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has recently extended its deadline to eliminate the wild virus by 2027, acknowledging the need for more time and resources to combat the disease effectively.
The resurgence of polio in Pakistan is a human tragedy that demands immediate and sustained action. Enhanced vaccination efforts, public awareness campaigns, and international support are crucial to eradicate this debilitating disease and prevent further suffering.