ISLAMABAD: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed the 71st case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Pakistan for 2024.
The case involves a young boy from Jacobabad, Sindh, who exhibited symptoms on December 27, 2024. This marks the fifth polio case reported in Jacobabad, highlighting persistent challenges in combating the disease despite extensive vaccination efforts.
The national tally for WPV1 cases this year has reached 71, with Balochistan reporting the highest number at 27 cases, followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 21 cases each, and one case each in Punjab and Islamabad.
Health officials continue to stress that polio remains an incurable and paralysing disease, reinforcing the importance of vaccination as the only effective defense. They emphasize that children under five must receive multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with completing their routine immunisation schedules, to build robust immunity against the virus.
To combat the resurgence, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, in partnership with the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), is conducting nationwide mass vaccination campaigns. The EPI also provides free immunisation services against 12 childhood diseases at health facilities across the country.
The first nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025 is scheduled from February 3 to February 9. Parents are being urged to ensure all children under five years old receive the vaccine during this campaign.
Efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan continue to face hurdles, including vaccine hesitancy and logistical challenges in remote areas. However, health authorities remain resolute in their commitment to eliminating the virus, citing significant progress over the years in reducing case numbers.
Despite the setbacks, experts stress the critical role of public cooperation in achieving polio-free status. The upcoming vaccination drive will mobilize thousands of health workers to deliver vaccines to children at their doorsteps and at healthcare facilities, aiming to leave no child unvaccinated.
To strengthen public trust and awareness, the campaign is being coordinated with community leaders and international health organizations. Health officials express optimism that with sustained efforts and community collaboration, Pakistan can overcome this resurgence and move closer to eradicating polio once and for all.
