Polio cases in Afghanistan rise by 283%, reports WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday reported a 283% increase in polio cases in Afghanistan. The organization expressed concern about the suspension of the house-to-house polio vaccination campaign.

The emergency committee highlighted that the rise in polio cases has been most prominent in southern Afghanistan, especially after the latter part of 2023.

The emergency meeting to address the surge in polio cases was held on November 6, 2024, and chaired by the WHO Director-General.

According to the WHO statement, the number of environmental samples testing positive for wild poliovirus type 1 in Afghanistan has risen to 84 in 2024, up from 62 in 2023.

The WHO added that after significant progress in house-to-house vaccination campaigns in the first half of 2024, Afghanistan has recently returned to conducting area-specific campaigns.

The WHO emergency committee expressed concern over the suspension of the house-to-house vaccination campaigns, stating that area-based campaigns cannot cover all children, especially young children and girls. This could lead to an increase in polio cases and its geographical spread.

The WHO also highlighted the seasonal displacement of migrants between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which could raise the risk of the virus spreading both within and outside the country.

Since the last meeting, 51 new polio cases have been reported, with 17 from Afghanistan and 34 from Pakistan. This marks a 283% increase in Afghanistan and a 550% rise in Pakistan compared to 2023.

The increasing number of polio cases in both Afghanistan and Pakistan is a significant concern for public health officials. The lack of access to vaccination due to insecurity, political instability, and migration is making it harder to combat the virus.

The WHO emphasizes the need for more comprehensive vaccination efforts to prevent further spread of the disease.

The global community must support ongoing efforts to eradicate polio by ensuring that vaccination campaigns reach every child, especially in conflict-affected regions. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan require sustained international assistance to curb the spread of polio and protect vulnerable populations.

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