Pakistan Reports 18th Polio Case in 2024

Pakistan has reported a concerning rise in polio cases, with a nine-month-old girl diagnosed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marking the province's first case of 2024 and bringing the national total to 20 this year. The health department confirmed that the affected child had only received two doses of the vaccine, prompting the suspension of the District Health Officer and EPI Coordinator due to negligence. In Quetta, a two-year-old boy became the 18th confirmed case nationwide, underscoring Balochistan's troubling record with 13 cases this year alone. Health officials attribute the surge to disruptions in vaccination campaigns, particularly in Balochistan, and stress the need for comprehensive immunization efforts. The Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, has called for immediate action to ensure every child receives multiple doses of the vaccine to curb the virus's spread. Environmental samples indicate the presence of the poliovirus in 66 districts, highlighting the ongoing threat to public health.