Pakistan: Polio case from Karachi takes 2024 tally to 70
Polio Cases Rise in Karachi, Pakistan Plans Vaccination Drive
In Karachi, Pakistan, a new case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) has been confirmed in a child from the East district. This marks the second case in the area for 2024. Pakistan is facing a resurgence of polio, with 70 cases reported in 2024. The cases are spread across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab, and Islamabad.
To combat this, Pakistan will launch a nationwide vaccination campaign from February 3 to February 9, 2025. The country remains one of the last two places where polio is still endemic, alongside Afghanistan. Polio affects children under five and can cause permanent paralysis. Despite global efforts, challenges like security issues, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation have hindered progress in eradicating the disease.
Health experts stress the importance of multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine to build immunity, especially for young children. Completing the vaccination schedule is crucial to prevent further outbreaks.
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 mostly affects children and can spread from person to person.
Karachi
Karachi is a large city in Pakistan, which is a country located to the northwest of India. It is one of the biggest cities in Pakistan and has many people living there.
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 if people are not vaccinated.
Vaccination drive
A vaccination drive is a big effort by health workers to give vaccines to many people, especially children, to protect them from diseases like polio. It usually involves going to different areas to make sure everyone gets the vaccine.
Vaccine hesitancy
Vaccine hesitancy is when people are unsure or afraid to get vaccines. This can happen because of rumors, misinformation, or lack of trust in the healthcare system.
Misinformation
Misinformation is when incorrect or false information is spread, which can cause people to believe things that are not true. This can lead to confusion and fear about vaccines.
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