Pakistan Faces Setback with Fourth Polio Case of the Year

Pakistan has reported its fourth case of polio this year, complicating efforts to eradicate the disease. A 30-month-old child in Sindh province contracted the Type-1 Wild Poliovirus. The case prompted the government to appoint a new head for their polio eradication program and launch a new vaccination campaign targeting over 16.5 million children.

Pakistan has reported its fourth polio case this year, a development that poses significant challenges to the nation’s efforts to eliminate the debilitating disease.

The latest case involves a 30-month-old child from the Lakhi region in Shikarpur district of Sindh province. The child was hospitalized after suddenly experiencing weakness in both lower limbs and an inability to hold his neck up.

This marks the first case in Sindh, with the previous three occurring in Balochistan. National Health Services coordinator Dr. Malik Mukhtar Bharat confirmed that investigative teams are now mobilized. Following the resignation of the previous head, Muhammad Anwarul Haq has been appointed as the new coordinator of the National Emergency Operation Centre for Polio Eradication. Furthermore, a new vaccination campaign aimed at inoculating over 16.5 million children across 66 districts will commence on Monday, prior to the Eidul Azha travel season.