Pakistan’s Polio Count Reaches 49 with New Case Reported in Balochistan
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- November 15, 2024
- 1:10 pm
- 20
- Current Affairs
Pakistan’s polio count has now reached 49 this year, with a new case reported in Balochistan’s Jaffarabad district. This is Balochistan’s first case of the year, linked genetically to the strain from Pishin. Pakistan remains among the last countries fighting polio, alongside Afghanistan, a situation that continues to alarm public health officials.
Balochistan is now the epicenter with 24 cases, followed by Sindh with 13, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 10, and isolated cases in Punjab and Islamabad. These figures show that the virus is spreading despite efforts to control it.
Insecurity is a major obstacle to eradicating polio. Vaccination teams face not only logistical challenges but also real threats, especially in high-risk areas. Violence and threats against polio workers disrupt vaccination campaigns, leaving many children unvaccinated.
A recent nationwide vaccination drive in October aimed to reach 45 million children but fell short, leaving 500,000 children without vaccines. The main reasons were community resistance, misinformation, and a lack of available health workers in some areas. Health officials also point to the arrival of unvaccinated Afghan refugees, which may have worsened the spread. Natural disasters, like floods, have also interrupted health services.
Government officials stress the urgent need for vaccination. "Without consistent vaccination efforts, Pakistan cannot achieve polio eradication," stated a senior health official. The government is ramping up immunization efforts to cover those missed in previous rounds.
The recent rise in polio cases is a setback for Pakistan's eradication efforts. Officials emphasize that widespread vaccination remains the only way forward, calling on parents to ensure their children receive multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine. Despite the obstacles, authorities are determined to reach every child and curb the spread of the virus.
