Polio Cases Rise to 71 as New Case Reported in Jacobabad!

Polio continues to be a significant concern in Pakistan, with the total number of cases for 2024 now at 71. The latest case was reported on January 14, 2025, involving a young boy from Jacobabad. His symptoms started on December 27, 2024, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the regional reference laboratory for polio eradication. This brings the total number of polio cases in Jacobabad for the year to five, highlighting the ongoing challenge in controlling the disease.

Polio, caused by the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), is a highly infectious disease that affects the nervous system and can lead to paralysis, particularly in young children. It has no cure, making vaccination the most important tool in preventing its spread. In Pakistan, the virus is still a major health threat, and the recent increase in cases calls for continued efforts to stop its transmission.

In addition to the case from Jacobabad, the total 71 cases of polio in Pakistan this year have been spread across various regions. Balochistan has reported the highest number of cases with 27, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh each have 21 cases. Punjab and Islamabad have reported one case each. Health authorities are urging the public to participate in vaccination campaigns to protect children from this dangerous disease.

The National Institute of Health in Pakistan and the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination. Children under five years of age need to receive multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to build immunity against the virus. Despite ongoing efforts, the resurgence of polio cases shows how critical it is to keep up the fight against the disease.

In response to the increase in polio cases, Pakistan’s Polio Program has been actively conducting nationwide vaccination campaigns. The next nationwide campaign is scheduled for February 3-9, 2025, and authorities are strongly encouraging parents to make sure their children are vaccinated during this period.

Moreover, Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) offers free vaccinations for a variety of childhood diseases, including polio. Parents are urged to take their children to health centers for these vaccines, which are available at no cost across the country.

Recently, Pakistan’s polio situation has also had international implications. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced that travelers from Pakistan, along with those from other countries like Afghanistan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique, must show proof of a polio vaccination before entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This move is part of efforts to prevent the spread of polio globally.

While Pakistan has made significant progress in reducing polio in the past, the rise in cases this year is a stark reminder that the fight is far from over. Vaccination remains the key to eradicating polio, and the continued efforts of health authorities, along with the cooperation of parents and communities, will be crucial in achieving a polio-free future for Pakistan and the world.