Pakistan confirms 71st polio case of 2024 as resurgence continues

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M. Waqar Bhatti,

Islamabad: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed Pakistan’s 71st case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) for 2024. The case involves a young male child from Jacobabad, Sindh, with the onset of symptoms reported on December 27, 2024.

This confirmation marks the fifth reported polio case from Jacobabad alone, underscoring ongoing challenges in the fight against the disease despite repeated mass vaccination drives. The national tally for WPV1 cases in 2024 now stands at 71, with Balochistan reporting the highest number at 27 cases, followed by 21 each from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.

Health officials stressed that polio remains a paralyzing disease with no known cure, emphasizing the critical need for vaccination. “Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine immunization schedule for children under five are essential to building immunity against this devastating virus,” a senior health official said.

To counter the resurgence, the Pakistan Polio Program, in collaboration with the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), continues to conduct nationwide mass vaccination campaigns. The EPI also provides immunization services against 12 childhood diseases free of charge at health facilities across the country.

The year’s first nationwide polio vaccination campaign is scheduled from February 3 to February 9, 2025. Health authorities have urged parents to ensure that all children under five receive the vaccine during the campaign.

Efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan have faced multiple challenges, including vaccine hesitancy and logistical hurdles in remote regions. However, health officials remain committed to eliminating the virus, citing significant progress in reducing cases over the years.

Despite setbacks, experts emphasize that continued public cooperation is essential to achieving polio-free status. The nationwide vaccination drive will mobilize thousands of health workers to deliver vaccines at children’s doorsteps and health centers, ensuring no child is left behind in the fight against polio.

Efforts are being coordinated with community leaders and international health agencies to strengthen public awareness and trust in vaccination efforts.

Officials remain hopeful that a sustained, concerted effort will turn the tide against the resurgence and ultimately lead to Pakistan’s success in eradicating the virus.