Pakistan reports 65th polio case in 2024

Pakistan on Tuesday reported another Polio case in Balochistan, bringing the national tally of polio cases to 65 in 2024. 

An 18-month-old baby boy from Qila Abdullah has been diagnosed with the polio virus, leading the total tally of Balochistan on 27, indicating that the province was severely impacted by the virus. 

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is one of two countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan, where the disease exists and affects children, especially those aged under five. However, it has no treatment, while the vaccination could weaken the possibility of disease before diagnosis. 

Apart from eradicating the virus, the polio vaccination campaign was being run nationwide and it will continue from December 16 to December 22. 

However, the case discovered during the anti-polio drive, “This is seventh polio case from Qila Abdullah this year,” APP quoted officials. 

“Of the 65 cases, 27 are from Balochistan, 18 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 18 from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad,” it added. 

The December sub-national Polio vaccination campaign in Balochistan province is scheduled to begin on December 30, during which all 36 districts of the province will be targeted for vaccination.