Pakistan reports first polio case of 2024

Pakistan has recorded its inaugural polio case of 2024, spotlighting a renewed urgency in the battle against this debilitating virus.

The unfortunate patient is a toddler aged two and a half, residing in the Dera Bugti district of Balochistan. This development has reignited efforts in the area to staunch the resurgence of poliovirus.

According to reports emanating from the National Institute of Health (NIH), this distressing occurrence signals the return of polio to the Dera Bugti district after an absence spanning 13 years.

The detection of the polio case surfaced during medical evaluations conducted on February 22, prompted by the child's presentation of symptoms such as fever and debility.

Confirmatory tests administered by the NIH corroborated the presence of poliovirus type 1 in the afflicted individual, prompting apprehension regarding potential transmission within the local populace.

Health authorities have swiftly sprung into action, launching vaccination drives and intensifying surveillance protocols to curtail the spread of the virus.

Despite notable advances in the global campaign against polio, Pakistan continues to grapple with sporadic outbreaks, particularly in areas plagued by limited access to healthcare services.