Islamabad Reports First Polio Case in 16 Years Among 17 Nationwide

Pakistan has reported its first polio case in Islamabad in 16 years, bringing the total number of cases this year to 17. The resurgence comes amidst ongoing eradication efforts and detection of the virus in environmental samples across 64 districts. A large-scale vaccination campaign is planned.

Islamabad, Pakistan—September 7 (ANI/WAM): Pakistan has reported its first polio case in Islamabad in 16 years, increasing the total number of cases reported this year to 17, according to health officials. This resurgence surfaces as the country continues its efforts to eradicate the disease amidst the ongoing detection of wild poliovirus (WPV1) in environmental samples.

Health officials have identified the new case in Islamabad's Union Council Rural 4, near the Sangjani Toll Plaza. According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio at the National Institute of Health, an eight-year-old boy is affected, marking the first polio case in the city since 2008.

A senior lab official told Pakistan's English-language newspaper Dawn that environmental samples from the federal capital and Rawalpindi district have tested positive for WPV1 since June, underscoring the "persistent threat of polio to children's well-being." Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister's focal person for polio eradication, called the case "incredibly heartbreaking."

In response to the virus outbreak, the polio program has conducted in-depth consultative sessions with provinces and districts to enhance eradication efforts, said Muhammad Anwarul Haq, coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication. The government is ramping up efforts to ensure every child receives polio vaccines, including those in Islamabad.

The government has scheduled a large-scale vaccination campaign across 115 districts from September 9 to 13. Farooq stated that teams will conduct house-to-house visits in 115 districts to vaccinate over 33 million children under five.

The campaign will also target all 36 districts of Balochistan, which has seen 12 polio cases since February. (ANI/WAM)

(With inputs from agencies.)