Update on Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative

Authors

  • Maryam Riaz Tarar Department of Pathology, Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53685/jshmdc.v3i1.100

Keywords:

Pakistan, Poliomyelitis, human poliovirus 1, human poliovirus 2, human poliovirus 3, oral poliovirus vaccine

Abstract

The global polio eradication initiative (GPEI) was established in 1988 as a result of the declaration of commitment by the World Health Assembly. In Pakistan, National Emergency Action Plan [NEAP] coined the strategies under government directives to play a pivotal role in line with international requirements to make poliomyelitis extinct. At the program’s initiation, there were around 350,000 cases of polio reported annually. The incidence has fallen by 99% due to the immunization of more than 2.5 billion children worldwide. Poliovirus has three serotypes; two have already been eradicated (the last case of poliovirus type 2 was reported in 1999 and of poliovirus type 3 in 2012). Poliovirus transmission has ceased with the exception of Pakistan and Afghanistan. In April 2022, two cases of acute flaccid paralysis due to poliovirus type 1 have been reported in KPK province. In this communication, insight is provided regarding the issues that have contributed to this wild poliovirus resurgence after a 15-month gap and the way forward.

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Published

06/30/2022

How to Cite

1.
Maryam Riaz Tarar. Update on Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative. J Shalamar Med Dent Coll [Internet]. 2022 Jun. 30 [cited 2024 Apr. 24];3(1):1-3. Available from: https://journal.smdc.edu.pk/index.php/journal/article/view/100

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2022): January-June 2022

Section

Editorial

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Maryam Riaz Tarar

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