Islamabad records first polio case in 16 years

ISLAMABAD: The federal capital has reported its first wild poliovirus case in 16 years, with an eight-year-old boy diagnosed with the disease, according to officials from Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI). The child, from Dhok Paracha in Union Council Rural 4, belongs to a family that had refused routine immunisations.

This case has raised the total number of polio cases in the country to 17 this year. Balochistan remains the most affected province, with 12 cases, followed by Sindh with three. Punjab and Islamabad have recorded one case each. Islamabad’s case has raised particular concern due to the city’s polio-free status for over a decade.

The case was confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio at the National Institute of Health, which also revealed that environmental samples from both Islamabad and neighboring Rawalpindi had tested positive for the virus since June. This highlights the ongoing risk of polio in the region.

According to health officials in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, the child showed only mild symptoms of paralysis and was observed walking and running without noticeable difficulty.

However, PEI officials emphasised that the child met the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) criteria for a polio diagnosis, as the virus was found in his stool sample. They also noted that the child’s higher age and good health likely helped mitigate the severity of the paralysis.

Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, expressed her deep concern, calling the case “heartbreaking.” To address the growing threat, a large-scale immunisation campaign is scheduled to start on September 9, aiming to vaccinate over 33 million children under five in 115 districts.

Health officials are urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated. Muhammad Anwarul Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, stated that efforts are being intensified to reach every child, including those in Islamabad.

One of the key challenges in Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts remains resistance to vaccination. Health workers frequently encounter refusals from families, particularly in remote areas. In response, awareness campaigns are being scaled up. Farooq stressed that poliovirus targets children with weak immunity, underscoring the urgency of full immunisation. The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has raised alarm over the resurgence of polio in the country, particularly in Islamabad. Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General of the PMA, called for increased vaccination efforts and stressed the need for a coordinated response to protect children. He urged the government, healthcare providers, and the public to prioritise polio eradication and ensure that every child is immunised.