First polio case of the year reported in Punjab

CHAKWAL: A 6-year-old child from Chakwal was confirmed to have contracted polio, marking the first case of the disease in Punjab this year.

This brings the total number of polio cases reported across Pakistan to 12 for the current year.

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The Anti-Polio Programme of Punjab confirmed the case, revealing that the child from Chakwal tested positive for the polio virus.

According to the latest figures, the distribution of polio cases across the country is as follows: 9 cases have been reported in Balochistan, 2 in Sindh, and now 1 in Punjab.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, which primarily affects children under the age of 5. The virus can lead to paralysis, and in severe cases, it may cause permanent disability or even death. Transmission occurs through person-to-person contact, often via contaminated food or water, and can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate sanitation and hygiene.

Vaccines are one of only way to combat the virus. Health officials say extensive immunisation efforts are critical to controlling its spread in Pakistan. The polio vaccine is typically administered in multiple doses.

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While polio has been eradicated globally, Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where the virus is still prevalent. Limited healthcare infrastructure, rural population, and inadequate vaccination coverage are some of the reasons for the non-eradication of the virus.