Pakistan reports 49th polio case of 2024

Pakistan has reported its 49th instance of wild poliovirus (WPV1) for the year 2024, with the latest case emerging from the Jaffarabad district in Balochistan.

The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad confirmed the finding on Thursday, November 14.

Genetic analysis of the virus samples collected indicates a link to the WPV1 strain identified in Pishin earlier this year.

This marks the first documented polio case from Jaffarabad, which borders Nasirabad, Jhal Magsi, Jacobabad, and Kambar districts, all of which have recently identified WPV1 in sewage samples or human cases.

Balochistan is the province hit hardest in 2024, accounting for 24 reported cases. Sindh has seen 13 cases, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 10, while Punjab and Islamabad have each reported one case.

Health officials continue to promote extensive vaccination efforts to combat the virus, encouraging parents to ensure their children receive multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine.

Approximately 500,000 children in Pakistan missed out on polio vaccinations during this month's nationwide immunization campaign, as confirmed by the country’s chief health official to foreign media.

The main reasons cited were vaccine refusal or unavailability due to travel during the vaccination drive.