Islamabad: Pakistan has confirmed its 56th case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) for the year 2024, marking a significant challenge in the country’s ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease.

According to Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health verified the latest case on Wednesday, November 27. The case involves a male child from DI Khan, a region that has reported seven polio cases this year and is among the seven polio-endemic districts in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan is experiencing a notable resurgence of WPV1 in 2024, with Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reporting the highest number of cases, at 26 and 15 respectively. Sindh has recorded 13 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad have each reported one case. In response, the Pakistan Polio Programme continues to conduct multiple mass vaccination drives across the country, aiming to provide oral polio vaccines to children at their doorsteps. The Expanded Programme on Immunization also offers vaccines against 12 childhood diseases at no cost at local health facilities. Health officials emphasize the importance of parents ensuring the vaccination of all children under five to boost immunity and advance efforts to make Pakistan polio-free.