QUETTA: In a troubling development, Balochistan has confirmed its first polio case in three years, according to sources from the health department.
The affected individual, a two-and-a-half-year-old child from the Dera Bugti district of Balochistan, has tested positive for the poliovirus, prompting concerns within the province.
Health department insiders revealed that samples were taken from the child on February 22, and subsequent analysis confirmed the presence of the debilitating virus.
This marks the initial polio case reported in Balochistan for 2024. The previous polio case in Quetta was documented in February 2021, originating from Qila Abdullah. However, the recent detection indicates a resurgence of the virus, indicating potential gaps in vaccination coverage and surveillance.
Alarmingly, health department sources disclosed the presence of the poliovirus in environmental samples from Quetta since August of the preceding year.
This discovery is in stark contrast to the absence of the poliovirus from environmental samples for two and a half years until August 2023, highlighting a concerning setback in the region’s efforts to eradicate the disease.
In response to the resurgence, the health department has announced a targeted polio campaign scheduled to begin on March 24 in nine districts of Quetta. The objective is to promptly contain the virus’s spread and strengthen vaccination efforts within the community.
The reappearance of polio in Quetta serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges in completely eradicating the disease. Authorities have been urged to intensify immunization campaigns and enhance surveillance measures to prevent further outbreaks and safeguard public health.
