Pakistan Sees Its Sixth Polio Case in 2025
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Synopsis
Pakistan's NIH confirms the sixth polio case in 2025 from Thatta, Sindh, marking a troubling trend in the resurgence of the virus as debates arise over previous detections in Punjab amidst ongoing health concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Sixth polio case confirmed in Pakistan for 2025.
- Case reported from Thatta, Sindh.
- Punjab officials dispute polio detection.
- NIH emphasizes adherence to scientific standards.
- India offers cooperation against polio despite tensions.
Islamabad, March 2 (NationPress) The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Pakistan has verified the sixth polio case in the country, this time from District Thatta, Sindh, as reported by local media outlets.
This marks the fourth polio case emerging from Sindh and the sixth nationwide.
Meanwhile, a heated debate arose in Pakistan following the identification of a polio case in the Punjab province the previous month. Officials in Punjab have rejected the polio detection, according to the leading newspaper, Dawn.
During a press conference on Friday, Khawaja Imran Nazeer, the Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare in Punjab, contested the case. He stated that a medical team assessed the child and found no neurological issues, asserting that the case should not be categorized as poliomyelitis.
However, a senior official from the National Institute of Health (NIH), who chose to remain anonymous, dismissed the discussion surrounding the Punjab case as unnecessary, stating, "A qualified doctor suspected polio based on standard definitions, and the National Reference Lab found wild poliovirus in the child's stool sample, confirming an infection."
The official further emphasized, "For all practical purposes, this is a confirmed polio case that must be addressed appropriately."
"To effectively combat the virus and minimize risks, scientific standards must be adhered to, and challenges should be approached with vigilance and courage, without engaging in unproductive arguments," he stressed.
Pakistan is currently facing a resurgence of the polio virus, with new cases surfacing in recent weeks. In contrast, Pakistan's neighboring country, India, was officially declared polio-free on March 27, 2014.
The achievement celebrated by India is recognized globally as a successful public health initiative.
Despite diplomatic tensions, India has extended "full cooperation" to Pakistan in the fight against polio, expressing concern over the situation.
