Presence of Polio Virus Confirmed in Balochistan

Balochistan was declared polio-free in 2012. Given the recent spread of polio across the country, tests were carried out in Quetta to confirm whether the province still upheld its polio-free status. The tests have indicated that Balochistan is no longer polio free; reports conform that the virus has been detected.

The report also stated that the 88 cases have been diagnosed in Pakistan since the beginning of the year. It must be highlighted that Balochistan has been completely polio free since October 2012. This new discovery in Quetta has been linked to the recent surge in IDPs who fled from the war in North Waziristan. According to the representatives of the Prime Minister Polio Monitoring and Coordination Cell, these positive test results have so far only been collected from Quetta. Other high-risk areas in Balochistan are still suffering from neglect.