Pakistan: Another case from last year's sample takes 2024 tally of polio cases to 73
Pakistan's 73rd Polio Case of 2024 Confirmed in Thatta, Sindh
In January 2025, Pakistan confirmed its 73rd polio case from the previous year. The case was identified in Thatta, Sindh, marking the first from this area in 2025. The sample, collected in December 2024, was included in last year's tally due to the virus's incubation period. In 2024, Pakistan reported 73 cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), with 27 from Balochistan, 22 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 22 from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
Despite ongoing vaccination efforts, polio remains a significant health threat in Pakistan. Health workers conduct mass vaccination campaigns, but challenges like security issues, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation hinder progress. The confirmation of new cases underscores the difficulty in eradicating polio, as only a small percentage of tested samples are positive.
Just before the latest case, a girl from Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was confirmed as the 72nd case, with her sample also taken in December 2024. The 71st case was reported in Jacobabad, Sindh. Polio, a crippling disease, can be prevented through vaccination, and efforts to eliminate it are crucial for the health of future generations.
Doubts Revealed
Polio
Polio is a disease caused by a virus that can make people very sick, sometimes leading to paralysis or even death. It mainly affects children and can be prevented with a vaccine.
Thatta, Sindh
Thatta is a city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Sindh is one of the four provinces in Pakistan, located in the southeastern part of the country.
Wild Poliovirus Type 1
Wild Poliovirus Type 1 is one of the three types of poliovirus that can cause polio. It is the most common type and can spread easily from person to person.
Incubation Period
The incubation period is the time between when a person gets infected with a virus and when they start showing symptoms. For polio, this period can vary, which is why the case was counted in the previous year's tally.
Vaccine Hesitancy
Vaccine hesitancy is when people are unsure or afraid to get vaccinated. This can happen due to fear, lack of information, or misinformation about vaccines.
Misinformation
Misinformation is false or incorrect information that is spread, sometimes on purpose, which can lead to people making wrong decisions, like not getting vaccinated.
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