Pakistan faces growing polio threat amid rising cases in Afghanistan
“The detection of 50 polio cases in Afghanistan has raised concerns over the cross-border spread of the virus into Pakistan, with health authorities reporting an increasing number of polio cases., arou…”
The illegal return of deported Afghan nationals to Pakistan through unofficial routes has also been identified by authorities as a major risk factor contributing to the spread of the virus. Pakistan has reported nine polio cases so far this year, while Afghanistan has recorded 50 cases.
Genetic testing has confirmed that all three polio cases reported in Khyber district are linked to the virus circulating in Afghanistan. Health officials further revealed that the Afghan-origin poliovirus was detected in 29 sewage samples collected from different parts of Pakistan.
The virus has reportedly spread to several major cities, including Karachi, Jamshoro, Rawalpindi and Multan, raising concerns about the risk of further transmission. Authorities are monitoring the situation as the cross-border movement of the virus poses an additional challenge to Pakistan's ongoing efforts to eradicate polio.
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