Polio

2 Polio cases so far in 2024 highlight the Ongoing struggle in Pakistan

The battle against the virus in Pakistan is far from over, with the recent in 2024, Pakistan reported two new polio cases: a 30-month-old boy in Dera Bugti and a four-year-old boy in Chaman, following six cases in 2023. Authorities are intensifying vaccination efforts.

Overview

Poliomyelitis, polio virus also well known as polio disease, the polio is caused by the virus is a viral disease that affects the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. An alternative word for this viral disease is “poliomyelitis.

Commonly affected areas include the legs, including the knees, as well as the arms and sometimes the neck and respiratory muscles.

Mode of Transmission

It’s primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, typically via contaminated water or food so its highly recommended to practice good hygiene, and keep the country clean and viral-free.

When an infected person’s feces enter the environment and contaminate drinking water for example in Lahore the poliovirus was found in the sewage sample.

The virus can be ingested by others, leading to infection and potential transmission to others. It can also be spread through person-to-person contact via respiratory secretions.

Children under 5 years

The poliovirus predominantly affects children under the age of five, as they have not yet developed the necessary immunity to combat the virus

They are attacked effectively, making them more susceptible to infection and its potentially severe consequences.

Treatment

The vaccine drops are an oral form of the vaccine for poliomyelitis, administered as liquid drops.They are preferred over injections because they are easier to administer, especially in mass vaccination campaigns, and do not require healthcare professionals for each dose.

The oral vaccine through drops effectively protects against this disease and is vital for global polio eradication efforts, particularly in reaching children in remote or underserved areas.

Polio Pakistan

This unfortunate development underscores the challenges that continue to plague Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate virus primarily stemming from mismanagement and corruption within the health department.

The Pakistan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health confirmed that the young girl had fallen victim to wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) and experienced paralysis since September 13.

Federal Minister for Health, Dr. Nadeem Jan, expressed his sorrow, stating that this child, like all children, deserved a healthy and fulfilling life. He emphasized the tragedy that this child now faces a permanent disability from a disease that is entirely preventable.

What is particularly distressing is that all three of the cases reported this year in Pakistan come from the same union council in Bannu.

Dr. Nadeem Jan acknowledged the severity of the situation and stated that the government is collaborating with UN partner agencies to address healthcare issues in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the disease remains endemic.

Efforts are underway to enhance immunity, improve nutritional standards, and focus on hygiene and sanitation to combat the disease.

The Federal Health Secretary joined in urging parents to actively participate in the ongoing nationwide Poliomyelitis vaccination campaign.

He emphasized the need for parents and caregivers to recognize the threat of poliomyelitis and ensure their children are vaccinated, providing them with protection against this incurable disease. “As a nation, we must unite to defeat this menace and secure a polio-free future for our children,” he stressed.

Dr. Shahzad Baig, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, reassured the public that no human case of poliomyelitis has been reported outside the endemic southern KP region since January 2021

He confirmed that virus circulation remains contained to this region and pledged to conduct a thorough investigation to identify the source of the virus and plan immunization responses swiftly.

In 2023, Pakistan witnessed the tragic paralysis of three children due to poliovirus, following a distressing outbreak in southern KP in 2022, which resulted in 20 cases. This situation highlights the urgency of addressing the systemic issues that hinder Pakistan’s progress toward eradicating poliomyelitis.

Vulnerability

This is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under the age of five, invading the nervous system and causing paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for this pathogen, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this debilitating disease.

It is crucial that parents and caregivers heed the call to vaccinate their children, as each immunization increases their protection against the virus.

Together, as a nation, we can overcome this challenge and provide our children with no virus in the future, joining the ranks of almost all countries in the world that have successfully eradicated this disease, leaving behind only Pakistan and Afghanistan as the last battlegrounds in the fight against poliomyelitis.

Bottom line

In 2024, Pakistan has reported an increase in poliomyelitis cases, with two confirmed cases so far. The first case was a 30-month-old boy in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, and the second was a four-year-old boy in Chaman’s Mir Ali Zai area. These incidents follow six reported cases in 2023. Nigeria became a polio-free country but Pakistan still struggling. The authorities are conducting extensive vaccination campaigns to combat this rise, aiming to vaccinate millions of children under five years old.

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