ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) has reported its 56th case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in 2024. The latest case is a 27-month-old male child from Tehsil Darazinda, District DI Khan, which has now recorded its seventh polio case this year. This surge in cases highlights the escalating outbreak in south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), emphasizing the need for intensified efforts to combat the disease.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed the latest case on Wednesday. Officials noted that the area suffers from suboptimal routine immunization (RI) coverage and persistent challenges in conducting quality door-to-door vaccination campaigns over the past few years. South KP, especially Darazinda, remains one of the most inaccessible regions for polio workers due to security concerns. Polio teams and their security escorts have faced targeted attacks, severely hampering efforts to reach every child with life-saving vaccines.
The region’s ongoing immunity gap has left children vulnerable to the poliovirus, which thrives in such circumstances. The nationwide tally of WPV1 cases now stands at 56 for 2024, with Balochistan and KP jointly accounting for 41 cases — 26 and 15, respectively. Sindh has reported 13 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad have each recorded one case.
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