Polio Outbreak

Pakistan’s Polio Outbreak: 56 Cases Reported in 2024

Pakistan continues to grapple with the persistent challenge of polio outbreak, with 56 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: 15 cases, including 7 in Dera Ismail Khan
• Sindh: 13 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:

1. Vaccine Hesitancy: Fueled by misinformation and mistrust.
2. Security Issues: Threats to health workers in conflict-prone areas.
3. Infrastructural Gaps: Inadequate healthcare access in remote regions.

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.