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Islamabad, Pakistan – In a significant blow to Pakistan’s ongoing fight against polio, authorities confirmed the first case of the virus in the capital, Islamabad, in 16 years. This marks the 17th polio case reported in the country this year, underscoring the persistent challenge of eradicating the disease despite years of concerted efforts.
The latest case, detected in Union Council Rural 4 of Islamabad, involved a child who was confirmed to have contracted wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), according to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio at the National Institute of Health. The resurgence of the virus in the capital highlights the continuing vulnerability of certain regions, even as nationwide eradication programs have made progress in other areas.
Polio, a highly infectious viral disease, can cause irreversible paralysis, particularly in young children. While the virus has been eradicated in most parts of the world, Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the last strongholds where it continues to pose a threat.
In response to the outbreak, Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, announced the launch of a targeted vaccination campaign starting September 9. The campaign, which aims to immunize over 33 million children under the age of five across 115 districts, is part of a broader strategy to prevent the further spread of the virus and protect the nation’s young population.
“While this case in Islamabad is concerning, it reinforces the need for vigilance and robust immunization efforts,” said Farooq. “We are committed to ensuring that every child in the country receives the polio vaccine, especially in high-risk areas.”
Polio eradication has been a national priority for Pakistan for decades, with significant resources invested in vaccination drives, public health campaigns, and outreach efforts in remote and underserved communities. However, challenges such as misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and logistical hurdles in reaching certain regions have hampered progress.
The current vaccination drive will focus on high-risk areas, particularly in provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which have historically reported higher numbers of polio cases. These areas are often the most difficult to access, requiring concerted efforts from local health authorities, international organizations, and community leaders to ensure successful immunization campaigns.
Despite these challenges, public health officials remain optimistic about Pakistan’s ability to ultimately defeat polio. The global push to eliminate the virus, spearheaded by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, continues to provide support to the country’s efforts, with resources and expertise being directed toward surveillance, vaccination, and outbreak response measures.
The reemergence of polio in Islamabad serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, the virus still poses a significant threat to public health in Pakistan. With renewed efforts, the country hopes to contain this outbreak and move closer to achieving its goal of a polio-free future.
