67th Polio Patient Confirmed in Pakistan

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative recently reported that the Republic of Pakistan has confirmed three cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) infections in the Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

As of the end of 2024, the total number of WPV1 cases in Pakistan has reached 67.

Furthermore, 52 WPV1-positive environmental samples were reported last week, which indicates that additional polio cases will be confirmed in 2025.

The South Asian nation of around 240 million people has been declared as one of two countries (Afghanistan) where polio is endemic.

As VOA reported last year, a representative of Pakistan's Ministry of Health stated that polio eradication is the country's top priority. "Despite the recent resurgence, a unified plan aims to stop polio transmission by 2025."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), countries affected by poliovirus circulation are subject to temporary recommendations issued by the Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations on Poliovirus.

The WHO and the U.S. CDC recommend that all travelers to 36 polio-affected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. Residents and visitors of infected regions who have been there for more than four weeks should receive an additional oral or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) within four weeks to twelve months of travel.

Globally, the type 2 novel oral polio (nOPV2) vaccine has been administered over 1 billion times in the past few years.

In the United States, the IPV is offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in 2025.

Seperately, the U.S. Department of State says, 'Reconsider travel to Pakistan as some areas have increased civil unrest risk.'