Another polio case reported: Total reaches 43 this year

Balochistan has reported another case of polio, bringing the total number of affected children in the province to 22. The latest case emerged in the Chaghi district, where a 5-year-old child was confirmed to have the polio virus. This case marks the first instance of polio in Chaghi this year.

According to the Health Department, the virus detected in the child is of the WPV1 type. So far in 2024, the highest number of cases has been reported in Qila Abdullah, where six children have been affected. Other districts reporting cases include Zhob and Pishin, each with two cases, and Quetta with three. A single case has been recorded in Dera Bugti, Jhal Magsi, Chaman, Kharan, Loralai, Chaghi, and Qila Saifullah.

Tragically, this year has seen three fatalities attributed to polio in Balochistan alone. Across Pakistan, a total of 43 polio cases have been documented this year, with Balochistan accounting for 22 cases, Sindh for 12, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for seven, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.