Polio Cases Rise in Pakistan Urgent Call for Vaccination
Two new cases of polio have been reported in Pakistan, bringing the total for the year to 26. This increase in cases highlights a troubling rise in the disease despite ongoing vaccination efforts. Polio primarily affects children under five, especially those who are malnourished or under-vaccinated. The disease attacks the nervous system, leading to paralysis or death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is key to prevention.
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The latest cases were confirmed in Karachi’s East district and Sujawal, marking the first instances in these areas this year. A seven-year-old girl was paralyzed in East, and a 12-month-old boy was affected in Sujawal. Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, expressed concern, stating it is heartbreaking that children are still at risk from a preventable disease.
The Pakistan Polio Programme aims to stop virus transmission by mid-2025, focusing on high-risk areas and community engagement. A recent vaccination campaign reached 33 million children under five, with another round planned for October 28, targeting mobile and migrant populations. Of this year’s 26 cases, 15 are from Balochistan, seven from Sindh, two from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
