Pakistan Confirms 74th Polio Case of 2024, Efforts Continue to Combat Disease

Islamabad: Pakistan has confirmed its 74th case of polio for the year 2024, according to health authorities at the National Institute of Health. The latest detection occurred in Shikarpur, marking the second case from the region for the year. The onset of this most recent case was reported on December 15, 2024.

According to a statement by Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, the country has seen a dispersal of cases throughout its provinces, with 27 cases reported in Balochistan, 23 in Sindh, 22 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one case each in Punjab and Islamabad. As of now, the first month of 2025 has recorded only one new case, originating from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Polio remains a debilitating disease without a cure, reinforcing the critical importance of vaccination. The oral polio vaccine, delivered in multiple doses, along with a comprehensive routine vaccination schedule, is essential to provide immunity for children under five years old.

The Pakistan Polio Program has been proactive in its approach, organizing several mass vaccination drives annually to ensure accessibility for children. These efforts are complemented by the Expanded Program on Immunization, which offers free vaccinations against 12 childhood diseases in health facilities. Parents are urged to ensure their children complete the vaccination schedule to safeguard them from polio.

The first nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025 concluded successfully, achieving 99% of its targets. Conducted from February 3 to 9, this campaign reached over 45 million children with the polio vaccine.

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