Authorities express concern as polio cases rise, urging intensified vaccination efforts.
KARACHI: The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) confirmed Pakistan’s 18th polio case of the year on Thursday, with a two-year-old boy from Quetta being diagnosed with the wild poliovirus type.
This marks the second polio case in Quetta and the 13th from Balochistan in 2024, making it the most affected province.
Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) officials in Islamabad expressed concern about the challenges hindering the national immunisation drive, particularly in some neighborhoods of Balochistan where disruptions have allowed the virus to spread.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, emphasized the need for multiple doses of polio vaccines and urged parents to ensure the vaccination of all children under five.
Environmental samples have detected poliovirus in 66 districts across Pakistan, heightening the urgency for nationwide immunisation efforts.
As health officials strive to protect children from the debilitating disease, they continue to push for comprehensive vaccination campaigns to curb the virus and prevent future cases.