Breaking News: A new polio case has been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the total number of cases for 2024 to 23. Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last two countries in the world where polio is still endemic. Despite global efforts, challenges such as security issues and vaccine hesitancy have hindered progress.
The case was confirmed in a 10-month-old girl in KP’s Kohat, raising the provincial total to two. The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) emphasized the importance of timely vaccination for children, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by the rapid spread of the poliovirus.
The government has updated its National Polio Eradication Emergency Operations Plan to address critical gaps in access and vaccine acceptance. Two large-scale vaccination campaigns are scheduled later this year to boost immunity and stop the virus’s spread.
National Coordinator Muhammad Anwarul Haq stressed the significance of maintaining high vaccination coverage, urging parents to cooperate with polio teams to protect their children’s health and eliminate the virus.