M. Waqar Bhatti
Islamabad: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirmed the 72nd case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Pakistan for 2024. The latest case involves a young girl from Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with disease onset reported on December 31.
Dera Ismail Khan has now reported 11 cases in the past year amid mounting challenges including militant attacks, community resistance, and security concerns affecting vaccination drives. Pakistan reported 72 polio cases in 2024, with Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab, and Islamabad all impacted.
Health authorities urge parents to vaccinate children under five during the nationwide campaign scheduled from February 3-9, 2025.