43rd Polio Case Reported in Balochistan, Pakistan
Polio Cases Tally At 43 In Balochistan In 2024
Pakistan recorded its most recent polio case on Wednesday in Chagai district of Balochistan, taking the national tally of polio cases to 43 for 2024, according to the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme.
A Week Long Vaccination Drive For 45 Million Children
Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, is one of the two countries where polio is still endemic, mainly due to frequent attacks by militants on vaccination teams, hampering efforts to eradicate the virus, Dawn reported. To tackle this, Pakistan on Monday launched a week-long vaccination drive that aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five across the country.
Balochistan- Worst Effected Region Of Polio Cases
"The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institutes of Health has confirmed the detection of the 43rd wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1) case in Pakistan," a statement from the Polio Eradication Program said. The statement also reported that "on Wednesday, 30 October 2024, the laboratory confirmed the detection of type-1 wild poliovirus in a child from Chagai district of Balochistan," which is the first polio case recorded in Chagai district, Dawn reported. The distribution of polio cases reported this year highlighted Balochistan as the worst-affected region, with 22 cases. Sindh has reported 12 cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported seven cases. According to health officials, Punjab and Islamabad have reported a case each.
Preventive Measures For Polio Eradication
Meanwhile, genetic sequencing of polio samples of the affected child is underway to ascertain the origin and transmission routes of the virus. The latest case came soon after a 29-month-old girl from Nowshera was confirmed to have the first case of polio in the region, Dawn reported. In addition, in early October, the 41st case was also reported from Balochistan. On October 24, Pakistan observed World Polio Day, with 40 cases reported nationally. Recent cases highlight the ongoing struggle against the disease in Pakistan, as authorities continue efforts to protect future generations from the debilitating effects of polio.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always consult your doctor for more information.
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