A new case of poliovirus has been confirmed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan, bringing Pakistan’s total cases this year to 56, the health department announced on November 28.
The latest case involves a 27-month-old child in DI Khan’s Drazanda tehsil, marking the seventh polio case in the district and the 15th in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Rising numbers amid security challenges
The health department noted that the “perilous security situation” in southern KP has severely hindered anti-polio campaigns, leaving several children crippled by the virus. Balochistan has reported the highest number of cases in 2024, followed by KP. Sindh recorded 13 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad have reported one case each.
Pakistan remains one of only two countries globally where the wild poliovirus continues to spread, with factors like insecurity, misinformation, and vaccine hesitancy undermining eradication efforts.
Polio oversight board stresses action
The surge in cases has prompted the Polio Oversight Board (POB) to call for intensified routine immunization efforts in Balochistan and south KP. During a recent visit, the board highlighted the importance of consistent vaccination access to vulnerable children to eliminate the virus entirely.
“We are tackling the virus resurgence on a war footing, using tailored strategies to reach missed children, combat vaccine hesitancy, and integrate health services for vulnerable communities,” said Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication.
The delegation, led by Dr. Chris Elias, included senior officials from the WHO, UNICEF, CDC, Rotary International, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The discussions focused on overcoming obstacles and bolstering eradication efforts in high-risk regions.
Polio – a persistent public health challenge
Polio primarily affects children under five, particularly those with weak immunity or insufficient vaccination. Health experts continue to emphasize the need for sustained immunization campaigns to tackle this preventable but highly contagious disease. The recent spike in cases underscores the urgency of eradicating poliovirus to protect future generations.
The country recorded only six cases in 2023, after 20 in 2022 and just one in 2021.