Polio case reported in 30-month-old boy from Balochistan

Pakistan has reported a new case of polio involving a 30-month-old boy from Pishin, Balochistan, bringing the total number of cases in 2024 to 22. The National Institute of Health confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in the child. Balochistan has been particularly affected, accounting for 15 of the reported cases, while Sindh has four, and KP, Punjab, and Islamabad have one each. The rise in cases has raised alarms among health officials, prompting calls for increased vaccination efforts. Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication, expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing the critical role of parents in ensuring their children receive timely vaccinations. She highlighted that each new case signifies a failure to protect children from this preventable disease. In response to the outbreak, the government has revised its National Polio Eradication Emergency Operations Plan to address gaps in access and vaccine acceptance. Two large-scale vaccination campaigns are scheduled for later this year to enhance immunity and curb the virus's spread. Muhammad Anwarul Haq, the National Coordinator for the Polio Emergency Operations Centre, reiterated the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent further cases. He urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams to safeguard their children's health and well-being.