The World Health Organization (WHO) has extended travel restrictions on Pakistan for an additional 90 days in response to the ongoing outbreak of polio cases.
The decision was made during a November 6 meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee on the international spread of poliovirus, held at WHO headquarters. According to a statement, the committee reviewed data on wild poliovirus (WPV1) and circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV) and assessed progress reports from affected International Health Regulation (IHR) States Parties subject to Temporary Recommendations.
The meeting also evaluated measures taken by the Pakistani government to curb the rise in poliovirus cases. The WHO expressed significant concern over the increasing number of polio cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
As of 2024, Pakistan has reported 59 cases of polio, with the most recent cases emerging from Dera Ismail Khan, Kemari, and Kashmore, according to the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) for Polio Eradication. All affected children tested positive for Wild Polio Virus Type 1.
The breakdown of cases shows Balochistan leading with 26, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 16, Sindh with 15, and Punjab and Islamabad reporting one case each. Health authorities continue to combat the virus through vaccination campaigns and public awareness initiatives.
About Polio
Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that invades the nervous system, potentially causing paralysis within hours. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route or, less commonly, through contaminated water or food. Initial symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, and limb pain.
In severe cases, one in 200 infections results in irreversible paralysis, and 5–10% of those affected die when their breathing muscles are immobilized. While children under five are most at risk, unvaccinated individuals of any age can contract the disease.
There is no cure for polio; it can only be prevented through vaccination. Two types of vaccines, oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), are both effective and safe. They are used globally in different combinations based on local needs to provide optimal protection.
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