Afghanistan’s Polio Cases Raise Fresh Concerns Across Pakistan

KABUL: (News Desk) – The detection of 50 polio cases in Afghanistan has heightened concerns about the possible cross-border spread of the virus into Pakistan, raising fresh public health challenges for the country.

According to officials, around 40 to 50 per cent of polio cases reported in Pakistan over the past two months have been linked to Afghanistan. So far this year, Pakistan has recorded nine polio cases, while Afghanistan has reported 50.

Officials warned that the return of individuals previously expelled from Pakistan through illegal border routes could increase the risk of cross-border transmission of the virus.

They further revealed that all three polio cases detected in Khyber district have been genetically linked to Afghanistan, indicating continued cross-border transmission.

Meanwhile, genetic traces of the Afghanistan-origin poliovirus have been detected in 29 sewage samples collected from different parts of Pakistan.

The virus has also been identified in environmental samples from Karachi, Jamshoro, Rawalpindi and Multan, highlighting the geographical spread of the infection.

Health authorities are concerned about the continued circulation of the virus and the challenges it poses to Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio. Officials have stressed the importance of strengthening vaccination campaigns, surveillance and cross-border monitoring to prevent further transmission.