The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has reported another polio case in Pakistan, bringing the total number of cases in 2024 to 50. It reported in media that National Reference Lab identified the latest case involving a 20-month-old girl from Tank district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Tests confirmed the presence of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). This is the second polio case reported from Tank this year, with a genetic link established to a case from July in the same district. Province-wise, Balochistan remains the hardest hit, with 24 polio cases reported this year, followed by Sindh with 13, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 11, and Punjab and Islamabad each recording one case.

Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of polio vaccination campaigns to curb the spread of the virus, particularly in high-risk areas. The recent rise in polio cases in Pakistan has sparked concerns for international organizations, sources said. According to sources, the international organization has called on Pakistan to implement emergency measures. Sources revealed that Pakistan has assured the international organizations of taking swift action to control polio. Furthermore, these organizations who work to combat the virus likely to visit Pakistan later this month.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan