Pakistan has reported its 17th polio case of the year, with the latest case detected in Islamabad. This marks a significant concern for the ongoing polio eradication efforts in the country, according to the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme (PPEP).
Recent Polio Cases Overview
The first case of the year was reported in Quetta, Balochistan, on June 8. The latest wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case was found in an 8-9 year old boy in Islamabad.
Monthly Breakdown of Poliovirus Cases in 2024
| Month | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| June | 1 |
| August | 7 |
| September | 1 (latest case) |
Geographic Distribution of Cases
As of September 2024, the distribution of the 17 reported poliovirus cases is as follows:
Distribution by Province
| Province | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Balochistan | 12 |
| Sindh | 3 |
| Punjab | 1 |
| Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) | 0 |
Balochistan Detailed Breakdown
| District | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Qilla Abdullah | 5 |
| Chaman | 1 |
| Zhob | 1 |
| Killa Saifullah | 1 |
| Dera Bugti | 1 |
| Quetta | 1 |
| Jhal Magsi | 1 |
| Kharan | 1 |
Sindh Detailed Breakdown
| District | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Shikarpur | 1 |
| Karachi | 1 |
| Kemari | 1 |
| Hyderabad | 1 |
Punjab Detailed Breakdown
| District | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Chakwal | 1 |
Historical Data
Polio Cases by Year
| Year | Total Cases | Balochistan | KPK | Sindh | Punjab |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 147 | 12 | 93 | 30 | 12 |
| 2020 | 84 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 14 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
Official Statements and Ongoing Investigations
A senior official from the Ministry of National Health Services and Regulations, who requested anonymity, stated that upon visiting the residence of the affected child, no significant concerns were observed. The child was reported to have recently had an accident, which led to a limp, but this was not necessarily indicative of polio. Further investigations are ongoing at the National Institute of Health (NIH).
Global Context
While polio has been eradicated in most developed nations, it continues to persist in certain regions, including parts of India, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Gaza, and Pakistan. India, which was declared polio-free in 2014, has recently reported a new case in the northeastern state of Meghalaya.
This ongoing situation highlights the challenges faced in eradicating polio globally and underscores the importance of continued vigilance and vaccination efforts.
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