An Update On Resurgence Of Poliomyelitis Cases In Pakistan

The world has seen countless outbreaks of polioviruses around the world over the past few centuries.[1, 2] Europe and North America were the prime targets of the poliomyelitis eruption in the late nineteenth century.[1] However, Asia and Africa are the two regions currently facing the eruption of poliomyelitis.[2] Paralytic poliomyelitis has been completely eradicated from America, Europe, and many other Asian and African countries. This was possible due to the continuous and collective efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO), governments, and non-government organizations.[3, 4] The expanded immunization program was started in 1976 to prevent polio and to avoid contamination related to polioviruses in Pakistan.[5-7] This program also provided awareness and spread valuable information regarding immunization against polioviruses. Within a short period of two years, this program was expanded throughout the country. The program achieved significant success and progressed to meet millennium development goals.[5-7] However, the program failed to maintain its momentum due to limited access to immunization services and a poorly administered management system. Moreover, a lack of awareness and knowledge among parents also created difficulty in attaining the global target of wiping out polio in every country and region of the world.