Pakistan's 2024 poliovirus tally reaches 56 after fresh case reported in KP
1. New case reported in 27-month-old child in KP's DI Khan
New Polio Case in Dera Ismail Khan Brings Pakistan's Total to 56 in 2024
A concerning new case of poliovirus has been reported in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising Pakistan's total number of cases this year to 56.
Health officials confirmed that a 27-month-old child in DI Khan’s Drazanda tehsil tested positive for the virus. This marks the seventh case in the district and the 15th in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) overall.
According to the health department, the virus has crippled several children in the region, with insecurity in southern KP significantly hindering anti-polio vaccination campaigns.
Polio Cases Across Provinces
Balochistan remains the most affected region in 2024, followed by KP. Sindh has reported 13 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad each documented one. Last week, two cases were recorded in Balochistan, and one in KP.
Pakistan continues to be one of only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus remains endemic. Experts attribute its persistence to challenges such as security threats, vaccine misinformation, and community resistance, which obstruct immunisation efforts.
The highly contagious virus primarily affects children under five, particularly those with weakened immunity or insufficient vaccination coverage.
Call for Intensified Vaccination Efforts
The Polio Oversight Board (POB) has urged an escalation of routine immunisation campaigns in high-risk areas, particularly Balochistan and southern KP, to curb the disease's spread.
During a visit to Pakistan from November 20 to 22, the POB emphasized the need for consistent access to vulnerable children and reiterated its commitment to eradicating polio.
The delegation, led by Dr. Chris Elias, included leaders from key global health organizations, such as the WHO, Unicef, the CDC, Rotary International, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They were hosted by Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
“We are addressing the resurgence of the virus with urgency, employing targeted strategies to reach unvaccinated children, counter vaccine hesitancy, and integrate health services for at-risk communities,” said Farooq.
Health authorities continue to underscore the critical importance of vaccination campaigns in overcoming the significant public health challenge posed by polio, a preventable disease.
