Pakistan’s fight against polio continues to face setbacks, with the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirming a 71st case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) for 2024. The latest case involves a young boy from Jacobabad, Sindh province, who exhibited symptoms on December 27, 2024. This brings the total number of polio cases in Jacobabad alone to five, highlighting the persistent challenges in eradicating the disease despite repeated vaccination campaigns.

With this latest confirmation, Balochistan remains the hardest-hit province with 27 cases, followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 21 cases each. Punjab and Islamabad have each reported one case.

Health officials emphasize the critical need for vaccination, stressing that polio is a paralyzing disease with no known cure. They urge parents to ensure their children under five receive multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine to build immunity.

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, in collaboration with the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), is actively working to combat the resurgence. A nationwide vaccination campaign is scheduled for February 3-9, 2025, aiming to reach every child under five. Thousands of health workers will be deployed to administer vaccines door-to-door and at health centers.

The ongoing efforts face numerous challenges, including vaccine hesitancy and logistical difficulties in reaching remote areas. However, health officials remain committed to eliminating the virus, citing significant progress made in reducing polio cases over the years.