ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has reported its first polio case in 16 years, increasing the total number of polio cases in Pakistan to 17 for the year. Health officials confirmed that this new case was found in Union Council Number 4 of Islamabad.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, a health official, confirmed the case and voiced concern about the reappearance of the virus in the capital after more than a decade. Anwar-ul-Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are intensifying efforts to vaccinate every child against polio,” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating the virus.
Despite global efforts that have nearly eradicated polio, Pakistan and Afghanistan are still among the last countries where the virus remains. Last month, a polio case was also reported in the Gaza Strip, where ongoing conflict has complicated eradication efforts. Following the confirmation of this case, Israel and Hamas agreed to a three-week truce to allow a UN-led anti-polio campaign in Gaza.
This recent case comes after traces of the wild poliovirus were detected in sewage samples from 84 districts across Pakistan, a significant increase from the 28 districts reported last year. Of the 17 cases reported this year, 12 were in Balochistan, three in Sindh, and one in Punjab.
In response, health authorities are accelerating immunization campaigns to prevent further cases and combat the threat to children across the nation.
