37% of Polio Cases in 2024 Reported from Balochistan
By Romisa Shah
Causes behind the highest 27 polio cases reproted from Balochistan.
Quetta: Balochistan reported 27 out of Pakistan’s 74 total polio cases in 2024, accounting for 37% of the national count. This alarming surge is attributed to various issues, including reports of fake finger markings and poor campaign management.
Officials confirmed that throughout 2024, incidents of fake finger markings were reported. Many locals continue to believe that the polio vaccine is part of a foreign agenda, which has fueled resistance.
Following these reports, Chief Secretary Balochistan, Shakeel Qadir Khan, had directed authorities to replace polio teams formed at the union council level. He also instructed the Director General of Health to submit a report regarding the performance of lady health visitors.
Balochistan remained the most affected province in 2024. Campaign implementation in the region faced challenges due to local protests and pockets of insecurity. The high number of cases reflects the severe consequences children face when vaccination opportunities are missed, according to the Polio Eradication Programme.
“Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and the completion of routine immunization for all children under the age of five are essential to protect them,” said a spokesperson from the Polio Eradication Programme
Pakistan reported a total of 74 cases in 2024—27 from Balochistan, 23 from Sindh, 22 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad In 2025, so far, only three cases have been reported, all from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the programme.
Officials are urging all parents to ensure their children receive the complete course of vaccinations.
Polio Myths and Misinformation
Misinformation regarding the polio vaccine remains widespread. Some people believe the vaccine is haram, while many others falsely claim it causes early puberty. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting these myths. In response, Muslim clerics have issued a joint fatwa in support of polio vaccination.
Like many others, Jalil Saleh, a resident of Quetta’s Qadirabad area, had also believed in these myths. In 2024, his two-year-old son was confirmed to have contracted the poliovirus. Jalil had hidden his child from vaccination teams for seven months, even keeping his birth a secret.
“When my son suddenly developed a fever and then his leg became paralyzed, the polio team conducted tests and confirmed that he had contracted the virus,” Jalil said.
Expert Insight
“Out of every 200 children affected by the poliovirus, one or two become disabled,” said Dr. Aftab. He described Quetta as a ‘reservoir’ a high-risk area where the virus is commonly present.
“This virus can be transmitted from person to person and through unhygienic conditions,” he explained.
According to Dr. Aftab, many parents are so hesitant about vaccination that they hide their children during immunization drives. He emphasized that a successful polio campaign, increased awareness among parents, and a focus on cleanliness and hygiene are crucial to eradicating the virus.
