Polio cases are on the rise in one of the last two countries where the disease is still endemic in the world. Pakistan has recently confirmed six new cases, bringing the total number of children infected with the virus to 39, as reported by health authorities in the South Asian country. Three cases of wild poliovirus type 1 were detected in the Balochistan province, two in Sindh, and one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In neighbouring Afghanistan, at least 18 cases of polio have been recorded this year, according to the World Health Organization. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries globally where polio remains endemic. Ayesha Raza Farooq, Pakistan’s prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication, has emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, “This should be a wake-up call for all parents and communities.”
Polio primarily affects children under five years of age and is highly infectious. The virus is usually transmitted through contaminated water or food, multiplying in the intestine and potentially causing paralysis by invading the nervous system. While the number of wild poliovirus cases has significantly decreased since 1988, it remains a critical public health concern in certain regions.
This year, Balochistan has reported 20 polio cases, making it the worst affected province in Pakistan. Sindh follows with 12 cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has recorded five cases. The persistent challenges of population movement, security issues in high-risk areas, and vaccine hesitancy continue to hinder eradication efforts.
Pakistan is set to launch a nationwide vaccination campaign on 28th October, targeting over 45 million children under the age of five. The country faces obstacles in promoting polio vaccination due to misinformation spread by certain groups, leading to vaccine refusal in some communities. Militants have targeted polio vaccinators and their security teams, resulting in casualties.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative has faced setbacks in efforts to eliminate wild poliovirus from Pakistan and Afghanistan. The resurgence of the virus in various districts and regions poses a significant challenge. The WHO warns that failure to eradicate polio in these last remaining areas could trigger a global resurgence of the disease.
Efforts to combat polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan are crucial to preventing a worldwide resurgence of the disease. It is essential to address misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and security challenges to ensure the complete eradication of polio once and for all.