Sindh reports two new cases of polio virus, bringing total to 39

• Sindh has now confirmed 12 cases, Balochistan has recorded 20 cases.
• 5 cases were reported from KP while one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
• Many environmental samples from Mirpurkhas tested positive.

ISLAMABAD: Two new cases of wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1) have been confirmed in Sindh, taking the total number of cases across the country to 39 so far in 2024, the National Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said.

The emergence of new cases shows the extent of the deterioration of the polio virus crisis in Pakistan.

Officials of the Pyelitis Elimination Initiative (PEI) on Sunday said The News that the two new victims are children — a boy from Mirpurkhas and a girl from Sanghar. Both are the first known cases of the disease in their respective regions this year.

According to PEI officials in Islamabad, Sindh is facing an increase in transmission of the virus, particularly after several environmental samples from Mirpurkhas tested positive for WPV1 earlier this year. After Balochistan recorded 20 cases, Sindh has now confirmed 12, while five have been diagnosed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.

At least three children have also died due to the disease this year in Pakistan, according to National EOC sources. These victims belonged to Karachi and Balochistan.

The EOC sources said that the child, Abdullah, who died of polio virus hailed from Karachi’s Bin Qasim town in Malir district. While the other two children belonged to Killa Saifullah and Quetta of Balochistan.

The government, on the other hand, is set to launch a nationwide anti-polio vaccine campaign from October 28, the EOC said.

Misinformation and conspiracy theories continue to fuel vaccine hesitancy across Pakistan, especially in areas such as Balochistan and KP.

Many parents refuse polio vaccines because of unfounded myths, such as the false claim that the vaccines cause infertility or are part of an alien conspiracy. These unfounded fears, spread through social media and local communities, have led to widespread vaccine refusals.

PEI officials urge parents to rely on scientific evidence and consult with health professionals.

“Vaccines are safe and necessary to protect children from paralysis. Listening to conspiracy theories puts children at grave risk,” the official added.