Two new cases of the polio virus have emerged in Pakistan, both reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tehsil Darazinda in District Dera Ismail Khan. The affected children include an 18-month-old boy and a three-year-old girl. These cases bring the total number of polio-affected children in Pakistan this year to 52, highlighting the ongoing challenges in eradicating the disease.
Regional Breakdown of Polio Cases
According to the latest data, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has reported 13 cases of polio so far this year. The region of Balochistan remains the most severely impacted, with 24 reported cases. Sindh has documented 13 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad have each reported one case of the disease in 2024.
Ongoing Struggles to Eradicate Polio
Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where the wild poliovirus continues to spread, despite years of vaccination efforts. Health authorities attribute the persistence of the virus to various obstacles, including insecurity, misinformation, and community reluctance to vaccinate children. These factors continue to undermine nationwide vaccination campaigns aimed at preventing polio.
Polio’s Impact and the Need for Vaccination
Polio, a highly contagious viral disease, primarily affects children under five, especially those with weak immunity or inadequate vaccination coverage. The virus attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis and, in severe cases, death. While there is no cure for polio, health experts emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective defense against this debilitating disease.
Health authorities are intensifying efforts to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination campaigns, stressing that polio can be eradicated if children are adequately immunized. Despite the setbacks, experts remain hopeful that continued public health efforts will eventually bring an end to the spread of polio in Pakistan.
