Polio claims life of 23-month-old in Balochistan’s Kharan

A 23 month old girl from Kharan district in Balochistan has died after contracting wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), health officials reported on Tuesday.

This marks the 12th polio case in Balochistan and the 15th in Pakistan for 2024.

The child, who was from Union Council South City-A in Kharan, developed a high-grade fever and paralysis in her lower limbs and neck muscles on 31 July 2024.

Her family initially sought treatment from a local healthcare provider before taking her to a private hospital on 7 August, where she was identified as an Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) case.

Despite efforts to treat her, the girl passed away on 19 August at a hospital in Quetta.

Officials from the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) are currently verifying her vaccination history, including her participation in routine immunisation with the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), and Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs).

"This tragic case underscores the persistent risk of polio in Pakistan, especially in regions like Balochistan where healthcare access and vaccination coverage are limited," a PEI official stated.

The official also noted that Balochistan has been experiencing an intense outbreak of WPV1 following disruptions to vaccination campaigns last year.

Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, emphasised the urgency of enhancing immunisation efforts to protect vulnerable children.

"We are working closely with provincial teams to strategise on reaching missed children and strengthening routine immunisation," she said, adding that preparations are underway for a vaccination campaign in early September.

The campaign will be synchronised with a similar effort in Afghanistan to ensure enhanced immunity across the cross-border region, according to Anwarul Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center.