Pakistan
Status: affected by wild poliovirus type 1
Status: affected by wild poliovirus type 1
Pakistan is affected by ongoing endemic wild poliovirus transmission.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is focusing on reaching every last child in Pakistan with vaccines, strengthening surveillance and maintaining political commitment, financial resources and technical support at all levels.
Polio this week in Pakistan
- No WPV1 cases were reported this week. The number of 2023 cases remains five.
- No WPV1-positive environmental samples were reported this week.
- Intensified efforts continue to be implemented in the country, particularly in the southern area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to urgently stop remaining WPV1 transmission. Permanently stopping transmission in this province, and in Afghanistan’s East region – the remaining endemic zones and the source of all WPV1 detected outside of these areas – is a top priority.
- Any virus detection outside the endemic zones is treated as per the GPEI outbreak response guidelines, to prevent re-establishment of transmission.
International Health Regulations
Pakistan is classified by the International Health Regulations (IHR) as a state infected with WPV1 with potential risk of international spread, with potential risk of international spread. It is therefore subject to temporary recommendations as of August 2023.
Travel Recommendations
WHO’s International Travel and Health recommends that all travellers to polio-affected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. Residents (and visitors for more than 4 weeks) from infected areas should receive an additional dose of OPV or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) within 4 weeks to 12 months of travel.
