Pakistan Reports 3 New Polio Cases, Yearly Tally Reaches 59

Islamabad [Pakistan], December 3: Pakistan has confirmed three new polio cases, bringing the total for 2024 to 59, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication, reported ARY News.

The latest cases were reported in Dera Ismail Khan, Kemari, and Kashmore, with all three children testing positive for Wild Polio Virus (WPV) Type 1.

Among the total cases recorded this year, Balochistan leads with 26 cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (16 cases), Sindh (15 cases), and one case each in Punjab and Islamabad.

In response to the rising numbers, local health departments have ramped up vaccination drives and awareness campaigns to curb further spread of the virus. The surge in cases has also raised concerns among international organisations, urging Pakistan to take immediate emergency measures, as reported by ARY News.

The government has assured international health bodies of its commitment to eradicating the virus and controlling the outbreak. Teams from global organisations working on polio eradication are expected to visit Pakistan later this month to assess the situation and assist in the response.

Understanding Polio:

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease, primarily targeting children under the age of five, although unvaccinated individuals of any age are at risk. The virus spreads via the faecal-oral route, often through contaminated food or water, multiplying in the intestines before attacking the nervous system.

Symptoms and Impact:
Early signs of infection include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, and limb pain. Approximately 1 in 200 cases results in permanent paralysis, typically affecting the legs. Among those paralysed, 5-10% may die if the virus immobilises breathing muscles, leading to suffocation.

Prevention Through Vaccination:

While polio has no cure, it is preventable through consistent and widespread vaccination efforts. Two vaccines, the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), are highly effective and globally used based on local epidemiological needs.

Pakistan, one of the two remaining polio-endemic countries alongside Afghanistan, has faced challenges in eradicating the virus due to logistical, cultural, and security issues. However, with intensified campaigns and international support, authorities aim to bring the numbers down and move closer to eliminating the disease.

Public Health Response:

• Nationwide vaccination campaigns targeting high-risk areas.
• Awareness initiatives to educate communities on the importance of immunisation.
• Enhanced surveillance and immediate response measures to limit transmission.

Polio eradication remains a critical goal for Pakistan, with the health of millions of children and the country’s international standing at stake.