The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has confirmed Pakistan’s 50th polio case for 2024, raising alarm over the nation’s struggle to eliminate the virus.
The latest case involves a 20-month-old girl from the Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The National Reference Laboratory identified Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) in the child, marking the second polio case from the district this year. Genetic analysis has linked this case to an earlier one reported in July from the same region.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has now recorded 11 cases in 2024, while Balochistan remains the most affected province with 24 cases. Sindh has reported 13 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad have each documented one case.
Health officials continue to emphasize the critical need for vaccination campaigns, particularly in high-risk areas, to halt the spread of polio. The persistence of the virus, particularly in vulnerable provinces, underscores the challenges in achieving eradication.
In light of these developments, international health organizations are preparing to visit Pakistan later this month. They aim to assess the current situation and provide enhanced support for ongoing vaccination efforts. Authorities hope these collaborations will strengthen measures to combat the virus and protect communities at risk.
The polio crisis has drawn national and international attention, as Pakistan remains one of the few countries where the disease continues to pose a public health challenge.
