Islamabad, August 02, 2024 – Two new polio cases have been reported from Balochistan in the past week, bringing the number of cases in the country in 2024 to 11.   

The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the new polio cases from union council Patri of Jhal Magsi, where a three-year-old child is affected; and union council Maizai of Killa Abdullah, where a 1.5-year-old child is affected by paralysis in the limbs.  

The affected child from Jhal Magsi showed symptoms of paralysis on July 5 and the isolated virus is linked to a virus detected in Usta Muhammad in July, while the child from Killa Abdullah showed symptoms on June 10 and genetic sequencing of the virus is underway.

“This terrible disease has once again ruined the future of two more Pakistani children, leaving them paralyzed for life,” said Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, adding that this is a tragedy not just for the families but also the country which remains polio endemic. 

Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq said that while the virus has been found in over 50 districts this year, Balochistan, in particular, is facing an outbreak, with nine cases reported from six districts across the province.