Pakistan reports two more polio cases, total reaches 67 in 2024

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s polio crisis continues to escalate as two more cases of the crippling disease have been reported, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 67 this year, according to the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).
The latest cases have been confirmed from the districts of Tank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmore in Sindh. This marks the fourth polio case reported from Tank this year and the second from Kashmore. The confirmation was made following laboratory tests conducted by the NEOC.
This alarming surge in polio cases reflects the persistent challenges Pakistan faces in eradicating the virus, including vaccine hesitancy, access issues in high-risk areas, and ongoing security concerns that impede vaccination drives.
Earlier, on December 24, the country reported its 65th case of the year, underlining the rapid rise in infections. Click here for detailed coverage of the worsening polio situation.
Polio remains endemic in Pakistan, one of only two countries in the world where the disease persists, the other being Afghanistan. Despite extensive vaccination campaigns and international support, the virus continues to circulate in vulnerable areas, particularly in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh.
Efforts to combat the virus include targeted immunization campaigns and surveillance measures. However, challenges such as misinformation about the vaccine and resistance in remote communities hinder progress.