New Polio Case in Qila Saifullah Adds to Balochistan’s Alarming Tally

Polio cases in Pakistan have risen to 46, with the latest case confirmed in Qila Saifullah district of Balochistan, according to health officials.

This recent case involves a months-old child, bringing total polio cases in the largest province to 23 this year, with two reported in Qila Saifullah alone.

The persistence of virus is also evident through positive environmental samples collected from 76 districts nationwide, indicating its widespread presence.

Pakistan remains one of only two countries, alongside Afghanistan, where polio is still endemic, despite longstanding efforts to eliminate the disease.

The polio eradication campaign in Pakistan, which started in 1994, has seen major successes through regular vaccination drives.

Last year, only six cases were reported, marking significant progress. However, 2024 has seen a resurgence of the virus, particularly in Balochistan, which accounts for more than half of the total cases this year.

Other regions, including Sindh with 12 cases and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with nine, have also been impacted, with smaller numbers in Punjab and Islamabad.

Polio, a highly infectious virus, mainly targets children under five, especially those with weakened immune systems due to malnutrition or incomplete vaccinations.

The virus can cause paralysis or death as it attacks the nervous system.