Amid efforts to combat the debilitating poliovirus, Pakistan is confronting the emergence of its third polio case this year, alarming health authorities, according to Dawn.
On a somber Saturday, Pakistan confirmed its third polio case of the current year, intensifying the ongoing struggle against this crippling disease. Additionally, three more environmental samples tested positive for polio, increasing concerns about the virus’s prevalence.
The latest victim, a 12-year-old girl from the Kili Malak Haqdad area of Darozai Union Council in Balochistan’s Killa Abdullah district, succumbed to polio’s relentless grip. Her symptoms included fever, pain on the right side of her body, and vomiting, leading to paralysis.
Despite no history of trauma or intramuscular injections, she experienced limb weakness, indicating the disease’s cruel onset.
Genetic sequencing of the isolated virus confirmed its presence in the affected region, casting a shadow over efforts to contain its spread. Prime Minister’s Coordinator on National Health Services, Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, lamented the tragic toll polio takes, emphasizing the urgency to confront this menace, as reported by Dawn.
A seasoned polio expert, speaking anonymously, expressed grave concerns about the virus’s resurgence in key areas, including Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar-Khyber. Despite extensive vaccination efforts, the virus persists in these regions, presenting a formidable challenge to eradication efforts. The latest case from the Quetta block serves as a stark reminder of the uphill battle against polio, with implications extending beyond Pakistan’s borders.
The Technical Advisory Group, responsible for guiding polio eradication policies and strategies, faces the harsh reality of persistent transmission. Amid mounting pressure, health officials are intensifying vaccination campaigns to bolster children’s immunity against the virus’s relentless onslaught. However, the road ahead remains challenging, as evidenced by the recurrence of polio cases in Balochistan after a three-year hiatus.
The resurgence of polio cases highlights the urgent need for concerted action to stem its spread and protect vulnerable communities. As environmental samples continue to test positive, the specter of widespread transmission looms large, particularly with the onset of summer. With transmission intensifying, health authorities are bracing for the daunting task of safeguarding children against the debilitating effects of polio.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirms the detection of WPV1 in previously infected districts, signaling the virus’s pervasive nature, Dawn reported.
