63 Cases Reported in Polio outbreak 2024
latest polio outbreak: Pakistan continues to grapple with the persistent challenge of polio outbreak, with 63 cases reported nationwide in 2024. This resurgence has been described as an “intense outbreak,” with key regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan bearing the brunt of the crisis. Despite extensive vaccination efforts, the virus remains endemic, keeping Pakistan as one of the last two countries globally—alongside Afghanistan—still battling polio.
Regional Breakdown of polio outbreak
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) revealed the distribution of the 56 cases across the country:
- Balochistan: 26 cases
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 18cases, including 7 in Dera Ismail Khan
- Sindh: 17 cases
- Punjab: 1 case
- Islamabad: 1 case
This alarming rise in polio outbreak underscores the urgency of robust vaccination campaigns and public awareness. The southern districts of KP and Balochistan remain hotspots, largely due to challenges such as misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and security concerns.
Latest Case in Dera Ismail Khan
The latest case was reported in Dera Ismail Khan, making it the district’s seventh case this year. A boy tested positive for wild poliovirus, confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Islamabad.
Impact on Children
Polio primarily affects children under five, with devastating consequences such as paralysis. Recent cases include:
- An 8-month-old girl from Zhob, Balochistan
- A 20-month-old girl from Jaffarabad, Balochistan
- A 5-month-old boy from DI Khan, KP
These cases highlight the critical need for timely immunization and robust healthcare interventions.
Government and Global Efforts
The government, alongside partners from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), is intensifying efforts to combat the virus. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his commitment to polio eradication, calling it a top priority. A National Emergency Action Plan is in place to reverse the surge Polio outbreak, with chief ministers and secretaries providing direct oversight.
Mass vaccination drives are ongoing, aiming to vaccinate millions of children at their doorsteps. Additionally, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) provides free vaccines against 12 childhood diseases, including polio.
Challenges Ahead
Despite these efforts, significant hurdles remain:
- Security Issues: Threats to polio office in conflict-prone areas.
- Vaccine Hesitancy: Fueled by misinformation and mistrust.
- Infrastructural Gaps: Inadequate healthcare access in remote regions.
Targeting Health Heroes:
Vaccinators like Ahmad Bhittani, who resigned after colleagues were kidnapped and killed, describe unbearable risks. “The militants will shoot me because of the work I did,” Bhittani said, reflecting widespread fear among frontline workers.
Regional Crossfire: Afghanistan’s Role
Polio’s persistence in Afghanistan—cases rose from 2 in 2022 to 25 in 2023—exacerbates Pakistan’s crisis. While the Afghan Taliban initially allowed vaccinations post-2021, recent restrictions on door-to-door campaigns risk leaving 30% of children unvaccinated. Cross-border transmission remains a critical concern, as both nations grapple with overlapping outbreaks.
Systemic Challenges: Funding, Infrastructure, and Neglect
Beyond violence, systemic failures hinder progress:
Water Contamination: Lack of clean water infrastructure perpetuates transmission, as poliovirus thrives in unsanitary conditions.
Underpaid Workers: Vaccinators earn just $18/day, driving resignations amid rising dangers.
Cold Chain Gaps: Vaccine spoilage due to unreliable cold storage during transport.
Global Implications: Aid Cuts and Political Uncertainty
International support is wavering. The U.S., a key donor, provided $7 million in 2023, but aid suspensions under recent policies threaten continuity. Dr. Hamid Jafari of the WHO warns that funding gaps could “paralyze many more children and increase international spread.”
Call to Action
“There is no cure for polio, only prevention,” stresses the NEOC. Vaccination is the most effective tool to ensure immunity against the disease. Parents are urged to vaccinate all children under five during mass campaigns and follow routine immunization schedules.
As Pakistan works towards its goal of becoming polio-free, overcoming these challenges will require collective efforts from the government, healthcare workers, and the public polio update.
