Polio Cases in Pakistan Rise to 64 in 2023: New Case Reported in Jacobabad

Islamabad:The National Health Institute of Pakistan has reported another polio case in Jacobabad, Sindh, bringing the total number of polio-affected individuals in the country to 64 for the year 2023. This is the latest addition to the increasing number of wild polio virus type (1) cases that have been reported across Pakistan this year. On December 13, the polio virus was confirmed in one child each in the districts of Jacobabad and Sukkur, marking the first case in Sukkur this year. Meanwhile, Jacobabad has now seen a total of four polio cases in 2023.

The number of wild polio virus cases has been steadily rising in Pakistan this year, with 64 cases recorded as of mid-December, leaving only 11 days remaining in the year. According to the National Health Institute, Balochistan has reported the highest number of cases, with 26 children affected, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 18 cases, Sindh with 17, and one case each from Punjab and Islamabad.

Health authorities have strongly urged parents to ensure that children under the age of five are vaccinated against the virus, emphasizing the importance of routine immunization. A nationwide polio vaccination campaign is currently underway across 143 districts, targeting over 44 million children. It is essential for parents to bring their children forward for vaccination to prevent further spread of the disease.

In a recent statement by the Ministry of Health, it was revealed that 60% of the children who contracted polio this year had not received any routine immunization vaccines. This gap in vaccination coverage has contributed to the severity of the disease among affected children.

Health officials continue to urge communities to participate in the ongoing immunization campaigns, emphasizing that preventing polio is crucial for the health and future of children in Pakistan.