Pakistan’s polio cases rise to 26 with two new reports

Two additional polio cases have been detected in Sindh, raising the total number of cases this year to 26.

The new cases were confirmed in Karachi East and Sujawal districts, according to an official from the regional reference laboratory for polio eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad.

Official stated that “this is the first case reported this year in both districts.”

According to NIH data, Balochistan has recorded the highest number of polio cases in 2024, with 15 confirmed cases. Sindh has reported four cases, while Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad have each reported one.

Experts emphasize that the detection of this new case highlights Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to eliminate polio, as it remains one of the few countries in the world yet to eradicate the virus.

Despite extensive vaccination drives and awareness campaigns led by the government and international health organizations, the poliovirus continues to infect children, particularly in areas with limited healthcare access and vaccination coverage.

Federal and provincial health officials are urging parents to vaccinate their children to help prevent the spread of this crippling disease.

The government and health organizations are making significant efforts to reach every child, especially in remote and underserved regions, to administer the vaccine and provide essential healthcare services.