A recent report reveals a fifth case of polio in Balochistan, with the number of confirmed cases now reaching 10 out of 13 reported across the region this year. The latest victim is an 11-month-old infant from Qila Abdullah who has succumbed to paralysis caused by the wild poliovirus.
The child from Qila Abdullah, who displayed symptoms of paralysis on July 17, is among the five cases detected in the district. Other cases in Balochistan have been reported in Chaman, Quetta, Zhob, Dera Bugti, and Jhal Magsi.
In response to the crisis, Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, recently met with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and senior officials to address the situation. Farooq stated that the provincial government is treating the outbreak with high urgency and is developing strategies to combat the spread of the virus, particularly in Chaman, Qila Abdullah, and Quetta.
Anwarul Haq, the coordinator for the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), emphasized the critical need for vigilant action in Qila Abdullah, noting that both the Balochistan EOC and federal teams are actively engaged in fighting the outbreak. The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, confirmed the latest case of polio in Qila Abdullah.
Dr. Malik Mukhtar Bharat, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on National Health Services, stated that efforts are being intensified to strengthen immunization campaigns in Balochistan and build immunity against the virus.
The National Polio Management Team is scheduled to meet this week to prepare for the upcoming polio campaign in September. Recent assessments and consultations with provinces have led to the development of a new strategy to interrupt virus transmission, particularly in high-risk areas.
Ayesha Raza Farooq remarked on the challenges faced, noting that the polio virus often exposes gaps in vaccination coverage. She assured that efforts are being refocused to address these deficiencies and prevent further spread of the virus.
In Balochistan, the situation is compounded by a recent history of inadequate vaccination coverage and persistent misconceptions about the vaccine. Despite numerous vaccination campaigns, efforts have struggled to keep pace with the actual number of infections.