Pakistan faces growing polio threat amid rising cases in Afghanistan

The discovery of 50 polio cases in Afghanistan has raised concerns about the cross-border spread of the virus into Pakistan, with health authorities reporting increasing numbers of polio cases.

Between 40 and 50 percent of polio cases reported in Pakistan over the past two months were linked to the virus that originated in Afghanistan, officials said. The illegal return of deported Afghan nationals to Pakistan through unofficial channels has also been cited by authorities as a major risk factor contributing to the spread of the virus.

This year, nine polio cases were reported in Pakistan and 50 cases in Afghanistan. Genetic testing has confirmed that the three polio cases reported in the Khyber region are linked to a virus circulating in Afghanistan.

Health officials also said that Afghan poliovirus was detected in 29 sewage samples collected from different parts of Pakistan. The virus is believed to have spread to several major cities, including Karachi, Jamshoro, Rawalpindi and Multan, raising concerns about the risk of further infections.

Authorities are monitoring the situation as cross-border circulation of the virus poses further challenges to Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.