Islamabad has reported its first case of polio in 16 years, marking the 17th case of the year in Pakistan. This case involves a child from Union Council Rural 4 of Islamabad, who was paralyzed by type 1 wild poliovirus (WPV1). The detection underscores the persistent challenge Pakistan faces in eradicating this highly infectious disease, which mainly affects children under the age of five, particularly those who are malnourished or have weak immunity due to insufficient vaccination.
Polio, which invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or death, remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite significant efforts to eradicate the virus, including extensive vaccination campaigns, the virus continues to pose a serious threat. Environmental samples from Islamabad and the neighboring Rawalpindi district have tested positive for WPV1 since June, highlighting the ongoing risk of transmission.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, expressed her distress over the new case, emphasizing the preventability of the disease through vaccination. She announced that the government has held comprehensive sessions with provincial and district authorities to enhance polio eradication activities. A nationwide polio vaccination campaign is set to begin on September 9, targeting over 33 million children under five across 115 districts.
Muhammad Anwarul Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, reiterated the urgency of this campaign, especially in areas where the virus has been detected. He stressed the collective responsibility to protect children from polio and urged parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine.
However, the campaign faces challenges, particularly in convincing parents to cooperate with vaccinators. There have been instances where parents did not open their doors to vaccinators, which hampers the effort to reach every child. The polio program is working to overcome these obstacles by ramping up efforts and engaging with communities to emphasize the importance of vaccination.
Earlier this year, 12 polio cases were reported in Balochistan, three in Sindh, and one in Punjab, bringing the total to 17 with the latest case in Islamabad. This highlights the ongoing struggle Pakistan faces in its battle against polio, despite significant reductions in the number of cases over the years. The upcoming vaccination campaign is a critical step in the continued effort to eradicate polio from the country.
