Second polio case of 2017 offers more food for thought

Islamabad

As long as poliovirus circulation continues anywhere in Pakistan, no child is safe from being infected; this is particularly true of children who still don’t have full immunity. The confirmation of a polio case in Diamir district of Gilgit-Baltistan, which has been polio-free since 2012, has only reinforced this message.

“Any child with low immunity will be where the virus finds refuge. We need to ensure all our children have completed their routine immunizations and are vaccinated with two polio drops, every time the vaccine is offered,” Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq has asserted in a written statement issued here on Tuesday.

Directing a thorough investigation into the reappearance of poliovirus in Gilgit-Baltistan, a low-risk area, Ayesha has assured that efforts are underway to protect other children in the community. “The National EOC Rapid Response Team is on the ground to support the district teams of Diamir and Gilgit for a strong case response round starting next week. Far-flung villages in hard-to-reach areas will be given special focus. A second case respond targeting 7 districts will then follow in two weeks,” she said.

Historically, only two polio cases have been reported from Gilgit-Baltistan with one case in 2011 and the other in 2012, and both of these cases were reported from Diamir. “A better routine immunization coverage as compared to many other parts of the country, gives us an advantage and together with the Gilgit-Baltistan government, we will ensure that the area is polio-free once again,” she emphasised.

“To date, the number of polio cases recorded in Pakistan is the lowest-ever, with 20 cases reported in 2016 as against 54 cases in 2015 and 306 in 2014. Despite reporting of two cases, the start of 2017 compares well with 2016 when by this date, 7 cases were reported; 3 each from KP and Sindh and 1 from Balochistan,” the statement mentions. What it does not mention, however, is that Pakistan is already one of the last two polio endemic countries in the world, and even a single case in 2017 is a case too many.