Polio: still a threat in Afghanistan and Pakistan

A recent report by an Indian media outlet has highlighted that Afghanistan and Pakistan are the last remaining countries where the poliovirus is still active. The report cites Indian doctors who state that India has successfully eradicated polio to the extent that there are no longer any signs of the virus.

Although this virus poses a serious threat to developed countries as well, Afghanistan and Pakistan are said to have been unable to eradicate the virus due to economic weaknesses completely.

In this report, Dr. Ananda, an Indian physician, stated: “We still have endemic polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but the virus is present in very few pockets.”

The physician added that there were over 10 genetically linked families in these two countries, of which only two remain.

Qalander Ebad, the acting Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan, recently stated that eight confirmed polio cases have been recorded in the country in the past two years. It plans to launch four vaccination adaptation programs to eradicate the virus in 2024.

The World Health Organization previously announced that the expulsion of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and the extensive displacement of populations increase the risk of polio spread in Afghanistan.

Amid the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan exacerbates the already precarious situation. Many of these returnees face challenges reintegrating into society, including accessing basic services such as healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities.

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