24th polio case emerges in Sindh

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s polio crisis deepened further as a new case of wild poliovirus (WPV1) was confirmed in a 29-month-old child from Hyderabad, Sindh, raising the number paralyzed children to 24 this year with five of them belonging to Sindh alone, officials reported on Saturday.

The child, identified as a resident of Union Council 12 in Tehsil Nerunkot, District Hyderabad, was diagnosed after experiencing muscle weakness following a bout of diarrhoea. Health officials confirmed that the child had not received any doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV) as part of routine immunization, although he had received seven doses during Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs). The child, who had a history of Severe Acute Malnutrition, was previously part of a nutrition program, but had been discharged a month before his condition deteriorated.

The onset of paralysis occurred on September 11, 2024, and the case was detected during an active case search on September 14 by the district surveillance officer (DSO). Stool samples were collected on the same day and sent for laboratory testing, with genetic sequencing currently underway to determine the virus’s origin. The child is reported to have weakness in his neck muscles, though his limbs are unaffected, according to clinical assessments.

This new case in Hyderabad has heightened concerns about the intense circulation of polio in key areas of Sindh, particularly Karachi and Hyderabad, where the virus has been spreading rapidly. The continued circulation in the province underscores the challenges faced by health authorities in their efforts to eliminate polio. The virus is also circulating aggressively in the Quetta Block of Balochistan, a known reservoir of polio, adding to the urgency of the situation.

Health officials warned that without concerted efforts, the virus could continue to paralyze children in Pakistan, with the potential to spill over into other provinces. “The circulation of the virus in Karachi and Hyderabad, as well as in Quetta Block, remains a significant threat to the national eradication program,” said a senior health official.

The spread of polio in Pakistan is further complicated by the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan, where 19 new cases have been reported this year. The virus continues to circulate in core reservoirs such as Kandahar and Helmand in southern Afghanistan. Cross-border population movements between the two countries, including the return of refugees and frequent migration, have made it difficult for Pakistan to maintain control over the virus. Most of the polio cases detected in Pakistan this year have been genetically linked to these cross-border transmissions.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Pakistani health authorities have implemented several targeted immunization campaigns. A fractional inactivated polio vaccine (fIPV) campaign was launched last month, followed by Sub-National Immunization Days (SNID) in September. Another National Immunization Day (NID) is scheduled for October, during which at least three doses of the polio vaccine will be administered to vulnerable children. Health officials hope that these efforts will significantly reduce the intensity of poliovirus circulation in Karachi and other high-risk areas, benefiting not only Sindh but also other provinces.

“Polio drops remain the only reliable way to protect children from the lifelong disability caused by the virus,” said a health official, urging parents to ignore misinformation and ensure their children are vaccinated. He added that parents must not fall prey to conspiracy theories that discourage vaccination, as immunization is the only proven way to prevent the disease. The government, under the directives of the prime minister, has also rolled out a comprehensive roadmap aimed at strengthening the polio eradication program. This plan includes improving oversight, enhancing community engagement, and ensuring that vaccination campaigns are of the highest quality. However, officials warn that unless these measures are implemented swiftly and effectively, Pakistan’s polio targets could continue to be missed, putting millions of children at risk.