The recent emergence of a second polio case within two days in Pakistan, this time in Balochistan’s Chaman district, has reignited concerns about the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio from the country. The affected child, a 52-month-old, has been paralyzed by the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), according to reports from the Regional Reference Lab for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad.
The isolated virus belongs to the imported YB3A cluster, which has been detected in multiple positive samples reported from Chaman since October 2023. This case follows closely after another reported instance of a 30-month-old boy being paralyzed in Dera Bugti, with the isolated virus also belonging to the YB3A cluster.
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Officials from the NIH highlight the persistent threat of the poliovirus across the country, emphasizing its presence in communities and its ability to affect children, particularly those who are malnourished or under-vaccinated. Despite ongoing vaccination efforts, the virus has been detected in numerous environmental and sewage samples, indicating its continued circulation.
To address these new cases, a fresh polio vaccination drive is scheduled to commence on March 25 in districts where the virus has been detected. The aim is to target over six million children in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.
In response to these developments, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed concerns over gaps in immunization efforts and stressed the importance of ensuring every child receives the polio vaccine. They urge parents to cooperate with healthcare workers and participate in vaccination campaigns to protect children from the debilitating effects of polio.
Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General of the PMA, highlights the severity of polio as a highly infectious disease that primarily affects young children. He emphasizes the critical role of consistent and widespread immunization campaigns in eradicating the disease and calls for intensified efforts to inform communities about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
As Pakistan continues its fight against polio, the PMA reaffirms its commitment to supporting government efforts and collaborating with stakeholders to protect children from this preventable disease.
