Sindh reports two new cases of polio

KARACHI: The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) confirmed detecting two new cases of polio in Sindh, bringing the total number of reported polio cases in the country this year to 39.

The two new cases were reported from the districts of Sanghar and Mirpur Khas. The affected children include a girl and a boy.

With the latest addition to the total number of cases this year alone, the overall polio case count stands at 20 in Balochistan, 12 in Sindh, 5 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.

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According to the NEOC, these are the first polio case reported from Mirpur Khas and Sanghar districts this year.

The resurgence of polio cases in Sindh is a concerning development as the province tried to make progress in recent years to eradicate the crippling disease. Health authorities vowed to ‘intensify’ efforts to vaccinate children and prevent the further spread of the virus.

The polio eradication drives in Pakistan has faced several issues and challenges over the years, including vaccine hesitancy in poorer regions, lack of access to remote areas and the disruption caused by the covid-19 pandemic.

Pakistan is one of few countries left where polio has not been completely eradicated.