Tally hits 52 as two more polio cases detected

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts faced another setback as the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The latest detections bring the total number of cases in the country this year to 52, underscoring the persistent challenges in combating the disease.

The newly reported cases involve an 18-month-old girl and a 36-month-old boy from Tehsil Darazinda, a region within DI Khan. Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is currently underway, according to health officials. This marks the fifth polio case from DI Khan this year, a district identified as one of the seven polio-endemic areas in southern KP.

DI Khan remains one of the most challenging districts for polio campaigns due to its precarious security situation. Vaccination drives are often disrupted, with vaccinators and their security escorts facing threats of violence. Such risks have left many children unvaccinated.

Southern KP, including DI Khan, has long been a hotspot for polio transmission. Limited access to remote areas, coupled with community mistrust and active insurgencies, hinders immunization efforts.

Of the 52 polio cases reported nationwide in 2024, Balochistan has recorded the highest number of cases where 24 children were affected, followed by 13 each in Sindh and KP and one each in Punjab and Islamabad. The data reflect the concentration of cases in areas with low immunisation, particularly in conflict-prone or underserved regions.

Despite concerted efforts by health authorities and international partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, Pakistan remains one of only two countries where polio remains endemic.

The persistent polio cases in DI Khan and other high-risk districts underscore the need for innovative approaches to reach unvaccinated children in challenging areas. Health officials remain committed to polio eradication, emphasising the importance of vaccinators security, community engagement, and robust surveillance. Genetic sequencing of the latest cases will aid in tracking transmission and identifying virus reservoirs. As Pakistan edges closer to its goal of eliminating polio, the situation in DI Khan serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of eradicating the virus amid socio-political and security challenges.