Polio paralyses two kids in KP, Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Poliovirus has paralysed two children in Balochistan and KP

A child in Zhob district of Balochistan whose parents had refused to get him vaccinated against polio, bringing the total number of polio cases in 2024 to nine in Pakistan, Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) officials said on Saturday.

“An 18-month-old male child from Union Council Hassan Zai Urban 2 in Zhob district, Balochistan, has been paralysed by poliovirus. Preliminary investigation revealed that the child did not receive any dose of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) or Intramuscular Polio Vaccine (IPV),” an official in the polio eradication initiative told The News.

So far, nine children have been affected by polio in Pakistan, of which seven are from different districts of Balochistan, officials said and blamed refusals by parents as the major reason behind growing number of polio cases in Pakistan.

The affected child developed weakness in his legs on June 28 and subsequent testing of samples collected from him were positive for WPV1, officials said, adding that genetic sequencing of the isolated virus was underway.

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath said that poliovirus has now affected nine children, seven of them in Balochistan alone.

“The resurgence of poliovirus in this region is highly concerning and the have been affected by polio in Pakistan, of which seven are from different districts of Balochistan, officials said and blamed refusals by parents as the major reason behind growing number of polio cases in Pakistan.

The affected child developed weakness in his legs on June 28 and subsequent testing of samples collected from him were positive for WPV1, officials said, adding that genetic sequencing of the isolated virus was underway.

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath said that poliovirus has now affected nine children, seven of them in Balochistan alone.

“The resurgence of poliovirus in this region is highly concerning and the government is focusing on implementing high quality polio vaccination campaigns and improving routine vaccination rates to boost children’s immunity,” he added.

PM’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza said that the virus has been found in over 50 districts, making it a constant threat for children, particularly those with weak immunity due to missing vaccination.

“Polio has no cure, the only way to protect children is through repeated doses of oral polio vaccine,” she said, urging parents to vaccinate all children under the age of five against polio.

This is the ninth polio case of the year from Pakistan, seventh from Balochistan and the first from Zhob in over four years.

Muhammad Anwarul Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, said the polio programme is focused on finding populations that may have been missed in polio campaigns and making sure that they receive the protective vaccine.

“We have already conducted six polio campaigns this year and are continuing to implement strategies to keep children protected,” he said.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad confirming the detection of Type-1 Wild Poliovirus (WPV1) in the environment samples of one new district, Hangu, and six previously infected districts. This brings the total count of infected districts in 2024 to 51.

Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) officials reported on Friday that an environmental sample collected on July 3, 2024, from the Civil Hospital & Jani Chowk site in Hangu has tested positive, marking the first detection of WPV1 in this district this year. The isolated virus is closely related to a strain previously found in Kohat, showing a 99.44% genetic match.

Karachi Keamari remains heavily impacted, with two new positive samples from Orangi Nala and Muhammad Khan Colony sites, collected on July 1 and July 2, 2024, respectively. These detections bring the total number of positive samples from Karachi Keamari to 13 this year. Both samples are genetically linked to strains detected earlier in Hyderabad and within Keamari itself.

Hyderabad also reported a new positive sample from the Tulsidas Pumping Station site, collected on July 1, 2024. This sample marks the 12th detection in the district this year and shares a 99.89% genetic link with a virus found in Karachi East earlier this year.

In Jamshoro, a sample from the Drain KB Feeder site collected on July 2, 2024, tested positive. This fifth positive sample in the district this year is closely related to a strain found in Hyderabad.

Chaman reported two new positive samples from Army Kaziba and Hadi Packet sites, both collected on July 1, 2024. These detections bring Chaman’s total to 16 positive samples in 2024. Both samples are linked to a virus previously detected in Pishin. Pishin itself reported a new positive sample from the Turwa site, collected on July 1, 2024, marking the sixth detection in the district this year. The virus is closely related to strains previously identified within the district.

Lahore also detected a new positive sample from the Gulshan-e-Ravi site, collected on July 3, 2024. This is the fifth positive sample from Lahore this year, genetically linked to a strain found in Hyderabad.

The NIH emphasized the critical need for enhanced vaccination efforts and warned against overburdening the virology lab with excessive samples, advocating instead for targeted sampling and clinical diagnosis based on symptoms. With over 8,000 confirmed cases in the first half of 2024, Pakistan faces a severe public health challenge exacerbated by disruptions in routine immunizations due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other systemic issues. Efforts to combat the outbreak include emergency vaccination campaigns, particularly in high-risk and underserved areas. However, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and logistical difficulties continue to impede progress. Health experts have urged immediate action to prevent further outbreaks and mitigate the long-term impacts on public health, particularly among children who missed vaccinations during the pandemic. International organizations like WHO and UNICEF continue to support Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its immunization programmes and healthcare infrastructure, they added.