Pakistan reports 71st polio case from 2024
Pakistan Confirms 71st Polio Case in 2024
In Islamabad, Pakistan's Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the 71st case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) for 2024. The case involves a young boy from Jacobabad, Sindh, with symptoms starting on December 27, 2024. This is the fifth case from Jacobabad, highlighting ongoing challenges in combating polio.
Polio Cases Across Pakistan
The national tally for WPV1 cases in 2024 is now 71. Balochistan has reported the highest number with 27 cases, followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 21 each, and one case each from Punjab and Islamabad.
Importance of Vaccination
Health officials emphasize that polio is a paralyzing disease with no cure, making vaccination crucial. A senior health official stated, "Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine immunisation schedule for children under five are essential to building immunity against this devastating virus." Parents are urged to ensure their children under five receive the vaccine.
Challenges in Eradicating Polio
Despite global efforts, polio remains a significant health challenge in Pakistan, one of the last two countries where the virus is endemic. Challenges include security concerns, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation, which have hindered vaccination campaigns and delayed progress in eradicating polio.
Doubts Revealed
Polio
Polio is a disease caused by a virus that can make people very sick and can even cause paralysis, which means they can't move parts of their body.
Wild Poliovirus Type 1
Wild Poliovirus Type 1 is one of the types of the virus that causes polio. It is the most common type and can spread easily from person to person.
Jacobabad
Jacobabad is a city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is one of the places where polio cases have been found.
Balochistan
Balochistan is a province in Pakistan. It has reported the highest number of polio cases in the country.
Vaccination
Vaccination is when people get a special medicine, usually through a shot, to protect them from getting sick from certain diseases like polio.
Paralyzing disease
A paralyzing disease is one that can cause a person to lose the ability to move parts of their body, which can be very serious.
Misinformation
Misinformation is when people share incorrect or false information, which can cause confusion and make it harder to solve problems like stopping the spread of polio.
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