——– Balochistan remains the most affected region, with 23 reported Polio cases so far this year
Quetta: Pakistan has confirmed its 46th case of wild poliovirus (WPV1) in 2024, with the latest case detected in a male child from the Killa Saifullah district of Balochistan.
The detection was confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health on 4 November.
This marks the second reported polio case from Killa Saifullah, where environmental samples had previously tested positive for the virus. To date, Balochistan has been the most affected province, with 23 cases reported. Other provinces have also seen a rise in cases, including 12 in Sindh, 9 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.
The continuing spread of the virus across 76 districts indicates the widespread circulation of WPV1, posing a serious and ongoing risk to children’s health. The genetic sequencing of the sample collected from the child is currently underway.
Balochistan’s challenges in combating polio have been particularly severe this year, with several vaccination campaigns disrupted by localized protests and security concerns. This has contributed to the high number of cases in the region, underlining the risks associated with missed vaccinations. . –Agencies
