Polio in Pakistan
(source World Health Organization)
(source World Health Organization)
- Pakistan is one of three countries that remains polio-endemic
- Failure to eradicate polio from these remaining strongholds could result in 200,000 new global cases every year within 10 years
- Pakistan's nationwide eradication program has existed since 1994, but instability and war hampers efforts
- Polio is highly infectious and can cause total paralysis and even death
- The virus mainly affects children under five years of age