Number of polio cases in Pakistan rises to 33 this year

Authorities on Tuesday confirmed that a child from Quetta, Balochistan, was struck by the poliovirus bringing the total number of polio cases in Pakistan to 33 this year.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed that the provincial capital reported a third case this year.

Additionally, 37 sewerage samples in the city were found positive for the presence of the virus.

Balochistan remains highly affected with 17 cases, Sindh recorded 10 cases in 2024, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 4 cases, and Islamabad and Punjab each with one case.

Despite a nationwide anti-poliovirus vaccine campaign, the cases were increasing rapidly. However, another campaign will kick off on October 28. 

On September 5, the NIH presented detailed statistics of polio cases before the National Assembly.

According to official documents, the NIH cumulatively reported 45 polio cases across Pakistan over the past four years. Only one case was reported in 2021, but the number surged to 20 in 2022.

Moreover, six new cases were recorded in 2023, while the number of cases reached 33 in 2024.

In 2022, the government had allocated $180 million for polio eradication, which was increased to $187 million in 2023. For the year 2024, the budget was shrunk to only $80 million.