Islamabad [Pakistan], April 14 (ANI): The World Health Organization (WHO) has extended travel restrictions on Pakistan for another three months due to ongoing concerns over the spread of polio, as reported by ARY News.
The decision was made during the 41st meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee, held virtually on March 6, which was attended by representatives from polio-affected countries. The committee assessed the global polio situation, with a particular focus on the challenges in Pakistan and the government’s efforts to control the virus.
Despite acknowledging Pakistan’s progress and anti-polio initiatives, the WHO emphasized that gaps remain, especially at the provincial and district levels.
Key Concerns Highlighted:
- 12-fold increase in polio-positive environmental samples between 2023 and 2024.
- 628 positive samples have already been reported in 2025.
- Rising spread of the YB3A4A B-cluster of the poliovirus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan.
- Hotspots identified in Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta, with concerns about continued spread during the low transmission season and a likely surge in the upcoming high transmission period.
The WHO reaffirmed that Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) remains endemic and continue to pose a global threat to eradication efforts. The cross-border transmission, particularly from southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Quetta, has also been flagged as a serious issue, exacerbated by the movement of displaced persons and refugees.
WHO Recommendations:
- Strengthened immunization efforts in vulnerable districts.
- Improved vaccination measures at border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Bilateral cooperation to control cross-border spread of the virus.
Current Polio Status in Pakistan (2025):
- 6 confirmed cases so far.
- 4 cases in Sindh, including one in Thatta.
- 74 cases were reported in 2024.
The WHO continues to urge Pakistan to enhance its surveillance and immunization campaigns, particularly in high-risk areas, to prevent further spread and help move closer to global polio eradication goals.
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